Authorities warn squishies can cause burns and chemical injuries

Broken squishies can cause burns and chemical injuries, while versions containing water beads may cause serious harm if swallowed, SVT reports. The Swedish Chemicals Agency and the Swedish Consumer Agency are warning consumers about the risks.

Squishies are soft squeeze toys that have become popular with children and young people, including through social media platforms such as TikTok.

Reports from Sweden and other countries indicate that the contents of damaged squishies have caused burns and chemical injuries. Toys containing water beads can also be dangerous if swallowed because the beads may swell in the stomach. Children under three are particularly vulnerable.

“It is especially dangerous for small children, who often put things in their mouths,” Marlene Gustavsson, an investigator at the Swedish Consumer Agency, said in a press release.

Do not heat or freeze them

The authorities advise against heating squishies in a microwave, leaving them in direct sunlight or in a hot car, making holes in them, taking them apart or freezing them. These actions can affect or weaken the outer covering.

If a squishy breaks or begins to leak, it should be thrown away. Contact with its contents should be avoided. A strong smell may be a reason to return the toy, although the authorities note that an unusual smell does not necessarily mean it is dangerous.

“It can also become very hot in the sun or in a hot car,” said Frida Ramström, an inspector at the Swedish Chemicals Agency. Consumers should follow the toy’s age recommendations and instructions.

The Swedish Chemicals Agency is currently testing squishies for hazardous substances, with the results expected later this year.

A 2018 study by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency found that 12 different squishies contained excessive levels of harmful chemicals. That year, the Swedish Consumer Agency also warned that squishies were unsuitable for children under three.