The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned consumers about fake and counterfeit squishy toys that may pose serious risks to children. It also reiterated a warning about serious burn hazards associated with a viral social media trend encouraging children and teens to microwave squishy toys.
Squishy toys, including popular animal, food and character-shaped squeeze toys, are widely sold through online marketplaces, social media, discount stores and other retailers. The agency said it is aware of fake and counterfeit versions that do not comply with federal safety requirements for children’s toys, including requirements addressing water beads, small parts, lead, phthalates and other hazardous substances.
Videos shared online may depict the toys expanding, changing texture or bursting when heated. However, the CPSC stated such demonstrations are dangerous and should never be attempted or imitated.
Some squishy toys contain water beads or other gels, liquids, powders or sand. If the outer covering tears or bursts, children may be exposed to the contents. Water beads can expand after being swallowed and cause intestinal blockages, choking, aspiration or injuries when inserted into the nose or ear. Other unknown filling materials may present chemical exposure, inhalation or ingestion hazards.
Fake and counterfeit squishy toys may also:
- Break or tear during foreseeable use, releasing small parts or hazardous filling material
- Contain excessive levels of lead, prohibited phthalates or other hazardous chemicals
- Fail to comply with federal requirements governing water beads
- Lack required warnings, age grading, tracking information or manufacturer identification
- Be sold without the testing and certification required for children’s products
To date, CPSC has identified 55 shipments of violative squishy toys at U.S. ports and worked with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prevent 355,683 units from entering the country. CPSC also issued notices of violation to companies responsible for importing or selling noncompliant products.
CPSC warned consumers not to purchase fake or counterfeit squishy toys and to stop using any squishy toy that has an unknown manufacturer, lacks required safety information, has a strong chemical odor, feels oily or unusually sticky, is leaking or can be torn apart easily.
Squishy toys can also become dangerously hot when left in direct sunlight, inside a hot vehicle, near a heater or in another high-temperature environment. Heated toys may burst and release material that can cause severe burns. Because the filling may be sticky and adhere to the skin, it can continue transferring heat and worsen the injury.
Federal law prohibits the importation and sale of children’s toys that fail to meet applicable CPSC safety standards. Children’s toys generally must be tested by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory and certified as complying with applicable federal requirements.
