Glasgow Hospital Warns of 'Serious Burns' After Children Microwave Squishy Toys in Viral Trend
A growing number of children in the west of Scotland have ended up in hospital with deep burns after attempting to heat popular squishy toys in microwaves — a stunt that has been spreading on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
The Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow says it has treated six patients over the past eight months for injuries linked to the trend. In some cases, the burns were so severe that children required surgery, including skin grafts. The danger comes from the rapid buildup of pressure inside the toy, which can cause it to burst and release a hot gel that sticks to the skin and continues to burn.
Among those affected is 11-year-old Scarlet Rowe from Irvine, North Ayrshire. She suffered burns to her face and eyelid after an incident in May. Her mother, Gina, said: “We didn’t realise what had happened at first; it just looked like slime on her face. It was only after a few minutes we realised it had been heated and was burning her skin. The swelling was so bad that we weren’t sure what the outcome would be. Thankfully no graft was required, but it is so close to her eye that this could have been a lot worse.”
Eight-year-old Joseph Erskine from Clackmannanshire ended up needing weeks of treatment and a skin graft after a toy burst across his chest and hand in May. His mother, Stephanie Ewing, said he used a towel to wipe off the burning gel, inadvertently removing part of his skin. “He has never used the microwave before,” she recalled. “One of us had heated something earlier and the clock was still set at 40 seconds. He just hit start.” Joseph had seen the trend online, and Stephanie is now urging other parents to talk to their children about the risks.
Burns specialists warn that the gel inside these toys remains extremely hot and can adhere to the skin, prolonging the burn and making it more severe than contact with hot water or metal. Sharon Ramsay, a burns nurse at the RHC, said: “Unfortunately, we are seeing a growing number of children with preventable injuries linked to this trend. When these toys are heated, the contents can explode and stick to the skin, causing deep burns. These injuries can be very serious and may require long-term treatment, including surgery and rehabilitation. In some cases, children are left with permanent scarring. We strongly urge parents and carers to speak to their children about the risks.”
The phenomenon reflects a broader pattern of dangerous online challenges that target young, impressionable users. While squishy toys themselves are generally safe when used as intended, the viral “microwave squishy” trend has led to a spike in preventable burn cases across the UK. Local councils have also seized thousands of counterfeit squishy toys that may pose additional chemical hazards. Health experts say the key to prevention lies in open conversations between parents and children, and a critical awareness of the content shared on social media.