By WMBD TV
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Needohs are the toy of the summer, and every kid wants to get their hands on one, but these toys do come with some risks.
Recently, reports have shown these Needoh toys exploding after being heated up, whether that be in a hot car or the microwave. Heating these toys can cause severe burns if played with after heating.
“We’ve seen recently a lot of kids who have had the hot objects get burned by the contents inside,” said Rebecca Sierra, a pediatrician at OSF Healthcare. “It sounds like the gel inside is a very sticky substance, so it can stick to the skin.”
“Parents have reported that when they try to wipe off, the gel just wipes the skin right off with that. That’s one of the dangers of what’s inside.”
Sierra also recommends only playing with these toys as intended and never heating or freezing them.
“We just want to make sure that they’re being used for their intended purposes. You know that parents are monitoring their use, not letting kids play with them outside of supervision. And definitely, you know, most of the boxes will say not to freeze them, not to heat them,” she said.
If one of these toys is left in the car, it can reach up to 150 degrees on a hot day. It is best practice to let the toy cool off before playing with it again, and also to check for holes or leaks that have sprung.
These toys do have their dangers, but overall, they are safe when used as intended.
“I know lots of kids are out there trying to get the latest models and collect many different types. They’re totally safe and fun. I don’t think there’s any reason not to let your kids have these toys. I just think they need to be monitored, like all toys, by the parents,” she said.
WMBD TV first reported this story. You can read the original story online at CIProud.com.
