Heatwave squishy warning as the toys are bursting in hot cars
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Neil Shaw Assistant Editor
14:29, 09 Jul 2026Updated 14:51, 09 Jul 2026
Parents are being warned to make sure children don’t leave viral squishy toys in the car in hot weather after a number of incidents of young people being badly burnt when they exploded. The toys, which are filled with a liquid gel, have already hit the headlines as children have been warming them in the microwave – only to see them explode in their faces and on their hands
Now there are reports of children being injured when the toys rupture after being left in a car on a hot day
A 13-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital in West Virginia, USA this week after a squishy toy left in a car exploded and soaked her in hot liquid
The gel stuck to her skin and could not be removed at home. Mum Kimmie Staggs said: “The nurse said she had to drench her skin in saline, because if they tried to take it off without it, it would pull at her skin and hurt her.” A second teenager had to go to hospital in New Mexico after an identical incident
A Facebook post from another incident in May read: “My daughter’s friend accidentally left her toy dumpling in my car yesterday. My younger daughter picked it up today in the car, it exploded because of heat in the car and went all over her. She is OK, thank goodness. However, the screaming that came out of her will be something I will never forget.”
Matt Clamp, car expert at Scrap Car Comparison, said: “With UK temperatures set to reach the mid-30s this week, the inside of a parked car can exceed 50C in well under an hour. That time frame is more than enough heat for gel-filled toys to soften and expand, ultimately leading to them bursting if left long enough. The main concern is that children often hold these toys close to their faces, without thinking about the risks
“The gel inside these toys can be particularly dangerous because it sticks to the skin rather than running off like water. The main thing to do if a toy does burst, is to cool the area under running water, and seek medical attention immediately, don’t get to wipe or peel away the gel
“Multiple incidents have been reported over the past three years, meaning it’s more common than we realise. It’s always worth checking your vehicle before setting off, or leaving it parked as any of these toys left sitting in the heat can become hot enough to cause injury, even if they haven’t burst yet.”
Matt added: “If these toys are left in the car, they can cause significant damage to a vehicle’s interior as once the gel melts, it will stick on to the upholstery, carpets and trim. A professional valet can easily cost £100-£200 but the issue is that these stubborn stains often need multiple treatments costing hundreds. If that gel gets onto the leather or plastic surfaces, repair bills can easily run into the hundreds
“Naturally, any interior damage will affect resale value as well as stained seats and sticky trims are major turn-offs for buyers. With older vehicles, the cost of putting things right can sometimes outweigh the value of the car itself
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“It’s also worth noting that squishy toys aren’t the only items that can become problematic in hot weather. Aerosols, batteries, medicines, chocolate and disposable plastic water bottles can all be affected by extreme heat. I would recommend a quick check of the vehicle in the hotter months before leaving it parked or driving off, as it can help prevent both injuries and costly damage.”
Temperatures are expected to peak on Thursday and Friday as the country swelters in the third heatwave of the year. The MetOffice said they will “widely exceed 30C” across the UK, while some areas in England could hit 36C
Trading Standards have warned about heating the toys, a spokesman said: “A dangerous social media trend involves heating these toys in a microwave to make them softer. This has led to reports of the toys bursting or leaking hot material, causing significant burns to children. Under no circumstances should these or similar ‘squishy’ toys be placed in a microwave.”
