WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consumer Reports wants an investigation of the NeeDoh Nice Cube, a popular sensory squeeze toy.
The toys are sold on Amazon, at Walmart and other major retailers, starting at around $5.
According to Consumer Reports, the TikTok challenge involves freezing, then microwaving the toys to make them more pliable.
The advocacy organization cited one instance in which a 7-year-old girl Missouri girl tried the challenge and was severely burned. She had to be put into a medically-induced coma.
“Parents rely on the toy industry and regulators to make sure kids’ toys are safe. These injuries never should have happened, and without urgent action by Schylling and the CPSC, more children could be at risk,” said Gabe Knight, senior safety policy analyst for Consumer Reports. “These gel squeeze toys are really popular. The reports of children suffering chemical burns underscore the urgent need for the CPSC to investigate these toys generally, and ensure that manufacturers are not selling products that contain hazardous chemicals. Companies should also take reports like these more seriously, and immediately recall any products that aren’t safe for children to play with.”
Consumer Reports called upon the Consumer Produce Safety Commission (CPSC) to investigate safety complaints, as well as manufacturers and testing labs to thoroughly inspect the safety of similar gel-filled products.
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