Parents Warned: Popular Squishy Toys Can Explode in Hot Cars and Cause Serious Burns

Squishy toys, which have become increasingly popular among children because of their soft texture and satisfying squeeze, are now at the center of a new safety warning for parents. Health professionals and safety officials caution that leaving these toys inside a parked car on a hot day can cause them to burst, spraying hot gel that may result in serious burns.

The toys are filled with a gel-like substance, and when exposed to extreme heat, pressure can build up inside the outer layer until it suddenly ruptures. In one recent incident, a 13-year-old girl from West Virginia was taken to the hospital after a squishy toy left inside a parked car exploded the moment she picked it up.

According to her mother, "The hot gel spilled onto her body and stuck to her skin, making it impossible to remove at home." She explained that nurses repeatedly flushed the affected area with sterile saline solution before they could safely remove the gel. "If they had tried to peel it off immediately, it could have caused much more severe injuries and torn the skin."

Parents Share Similar Incidents

In another case in New Mexico, a teenage girl was hospitalized after a similar toy exploded due to the intense heat inside a vehicle. After her story became public, dozens of parents shared nearly identical experiences.

One mother said her daughter's friend had forgotten a dumpling-shaped squishy toy in the car. Another parent recalled that the same thing happened to her five-year-old daughter when she picked up a toy that had been left inside the vehicle.

"She's okay, thank God," the mother wrote, "but the screams I heard from her are something I'll never forget."

How to Keep Your Children Safe

Safety experts remind parents that temperatures inside a parked vehicle can rise to 60–70°C (140–158°F) or even higher within minutes during the summer. Under such conditions, objects containing liquids or gel may expand, deform, or burst.

To reduce the risk:

• Never leave squishy toys inside a parked car on hot summer days.

• Do not heat these toys in a microwave or any other heat source, even if online videos present it as a challenge or experiment.

• Throw away any squishy toy that has swollen, cracked, or changed shape after being exposed to heat.

• If hot gel comes into contact with the skin, immediately cool the affected area under running water for at least 20 minutes and seek medical attention if a burn occurs or if the gel adheres to the skin.

Experts emphasize that most squishy toys are safe when used according to the manufacturer's instructions. However, exposure to extreme heat, especially inside a closed vehicle or through intentional heating, can quickly turn a harmless toy into a serious burn hazard.