Squishy toys today: Councils and doctors warn after burns and seizures

1,968 toys have been seized in Gloucestershire in just three months as warnings grow over unsafe “squishy” products and a microwave craze linked to serious burns. What began as a collectible toy fad has turned into a safety concern involving Trading Standards officers, burns specialists and parents whose children have needed weeks of treatment. The warning for families is simple but stark: these toys should not be heated, and poorly labelled copies may carry risks beyond the visible damage.

The Bottom Line

• Gloucestershire Trading Standards seized 1,968 toys in three months, including copies of Squishy Dumpling and NeeDoh products that failed basic safety standards.
• The Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow has treated six children in eight months for injuries linked to microwaved squishy toys.
• Burns specialists warn the gel inside can become extremely hot, burst under pressure and stick to skin, prolonging the burn.
• Northumberland County Council said some unbranded squishy toys lacked legally required traceability information and similar toys elsewhere had been found with toxic chemicals and high levels of benzene.
• Parents are being urged to check for UKCA or CE markings, proper manufacturer or importer details, safety warnings and to avoid toys with strong chemical smells.

Breaking It Down

The craze began with soft, squeezable toys such as Squishy Dumplings and NeeDoh-style products, which became popular through social media and collectable versions. Squishy Dumplings are shaped like bao buns, and part of their appeal comes from the hunt for ultra-rare shiny versions. That popularity has also created space for cheaper copycat products, some of which councils say have not gone through the usual safety checks.

Gloucestershire County Council said its Trading Standards team seized nearly 2,000 unsafe toys during a three-month investigation. Officers found products that appeared poorly made, lacked proper labelling or carried a strong chemical smell. Some suspected NeeDoh products were also described as potentially counterfeit.

These products can look harmless but if they haven't been made to the right standards they can pose a real risk to children.

The more immediate danger comes from a viral online behaviour: children heating squishy toys in microwaves to make them softer. Councils and doctors say the outside can feel cool while the gel inside becomes extremely hot. When squeezed, pressure can make the toy burst and release sticky, heated gel onto skin.

The injuries described by families show how fast the harm can happen. Joseph Erskine, eight, from Clackmannanshire, needed weeks of treatment and a skin graft after a toy burst across his chest and hand in May. His mother, Stephanie Ewing, said the microwave still had time on it from earlier use and Joseph “just hit start”, making the incident quick and easy for a child to copy after seeing it online.

Why This Matters

This is not only a story about one unsafe product. It shows how a toy trend can move from a social media clip to a hospital ward when children copy what they see without understanding heat, pressure or chemical risks. The Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow has treated six children for injuries linked to the trend in eight months, and some needed surgery including skin grafts.

UKCA marking

A UK product safety mark that Trading Standards says shoppers should check for when buying toys.

CE marking

A mandatory safety mark also cited by Trading Standards as evidence that a toy has passed safety legislation.

Benzene

A carcinogenic substance that Northumberland County Council said had been found at high levels in similar toys around the country.

For parents in Britain, the practical effect is immediate: a toy that looks cheap and harmless may need the same scrutiny as any electrical or chemical product brought into the home. Trading Standards advice is to buy from reputable retailers, avoid poorly labelled or unusually cheap items, and check that toys show the name and address of a UK-based importer or EU-based manufacturer.

When these toys are heated, the contents can explode and stick to the skin, causing deep burns.

What Comes Next

Trading Standards officers in Northumberland are visiting stores to ensure unsafe items are removed from shelves, while Gloucestershire officials say retailers must make sure everything they sell complies with UK safety laws. Consumers who are concerned about unsafe toys being sold have been advised by Gloucestershire County Council to report them through the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.

The confirmed advice from councils and medical staff is consistent: do not microwave squishy toys, ignore viral clips encouraging unsafe use, and check labels before buying. For children already injured, recovery can take weeks or months and may involve dressings, physiotherapy, scar management and, in some cases, surgery.

FAQ

Why are squishy toys dangerous in the microwave?

Medical experts warn that heating squishy toys can cause pressure to build inside. The gel can become extremely hot, burst out and stick to the skin, making burns more severe.

How many children have been injured by the squishy toy trend?

The Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow has treated six children with injuries linked to the trend over the past eight months. Some of those children required surgery, including skin grafts.

Which squishy toys are councils warning about?

Councils have referred to copies of popular Squishy Dumpling and NeeDoh products. Gloucestershire Trading Standards said some seized products failed basic safety standards and some suspected NeeDoh products may be counterfeit.

What should parents check before buying squishy toys?

Trading Standards advises checking for a UK-based importer or EU-based manufacturer name and address. Toys should also carry CE or UKCA markings and should not have poor labelling, missing warnings or a strong chemical smell.

What injuries can microwaved squishy toys cause?

Reported injuries include burns to the chest, hand, face and eyelid. Burns specialists say the gel can remain extremely hot and stick to skin, and recovery may require weeks or months of treatment.

Where can unsafe toys be reported?

Gloucestershire County Council said people concerned about unsafe toys being sold should report them via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline. The number given in the council warning was 0808 223 1133.