What Parents Need To Know About Squishy Toys In Social Media Challenges

A viral social media trend encouraging kids to microwave squishy toys has landed at least one child in the emergency room with severe burns, and federal safety officials want parents to know the dangers go beyond the microwave. The toys can also burst in hot cars or direct sunlight, and counterfeit versions may contain lead, hazardous chemicals, or small parts that break loose. America’s Poison Centers logged more than 11,500 squishy-related reports since 2024, with over half coming in just the first six months of 2026.