Business & Finance
Squishy fidget toys left in hot vehicles pose severe burn risks, experts warn
High interior temperatures can cause thermal rubber shells to fail and release heated, adhesive filling onto skin.
The short version
- Exposure to intense heat inside vehicles can destabilize squishy fidget toys like NeeDohs, causing them to burst or leak scalding gel.
- The internal filling, which can consist of maltose or polyvinyl alcohol, retains heat and adheres to skin, potentially causing severe burns.
- Safety experts and medical resources advise removing squishy toys from cars entirely, as interior temperatures can reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Key facts
- Squishy fidget toys like NeeDohs feature flexible thermoplastic rubber exteriors filled with materials such as maltose sugar or polyvinyl alcohol.[Jalopnik]
- Vehicle cabin temperatures can reach up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit on warm days, with interior heat rising roughly 40 degrees within an hour.[Jalopnik]
- Product packaging for NeeDoh toys includes manufacturer warnings against subjecting the items to extreme temperatures.[Jalopnik]
- Local news station KRQE reported that a teenager in New Mexico received third-degree burns from a NeeDoh toy left inside a sun-baked car for several hours.[Jalopnik]
What remains uncertain
- The full nationwide frequency of burn injuries linked to heated fidget toys remains unknown.[Jalopnik]