CPSC Warns: Don’t Microwave Squishy Toys — 355,683 Counterfeits Blocked at U.S. Ports

A viral online trend of microwaving soft "squishy" toys has prompted a blunt warning from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): do not try this at home. Videos showing dumpling‑style and similar squishies being heated until they swell, change color or burst have raised alarms because the toys can release hot, sticky filling that causes serious burns.

The CPSC told families and caregivers that children and teens should "never" imitate these demonstrations, which are often presented as harmless experiments. Federal regulators say heated toys may rupture and spill hot contents that can cause significant injury.

"These demonstrations are dangerous and should never be attempted or imitated. Heated toys may burst and release material that can cause severe burns." — U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Why These Toys Are Dangerous

The danger goes beyond intentional microwaving. The CPSC warns that ordinary heat exposure — for example, leaving a squishy toy in a parked car or on a sunny windowsill — can cause a toy to swell, rupture, or leak. When the filling is hot and sticky, it can cling to skin and continue transferring heat, worsening burns. In some counterfeit products, leaked contents may also include hazardous materials such as expanding water beads, lead, or other chemicals.

Incidents and Imports

In a separate notice cited by OregonLive, the CPSC said it identified 55 shipments of fake or counterfeit squishy toys at U.S. ports and prevented 355,683 units from entering the country by September 2026. Regulators and news outlets have also reported tests and seizures related to benzene, asbestos fears, and banned flame retardants in similar low-cost toys.

What Parents and Caregivers Should Do

• Keep squishy toys away from microwaves, ovens, sunny windowsills and enclosed vehicles.
• Inspect toys regularly. If a toy looks swollen, warm, damaged, or is leaking, keep it away from children and handle it with care.
• If a toy bursts, avoid direct skin contact with the filling. Use gloves or a tool to contain and dispose of the material safely, and ventilate the area if fumes are present.
• Watch for recalls. The CPSC has already recalled thousands of squishy dumplings after discovering expandable water beads that pose choking hazards.

First Aid for Burns

If someone is burned by hot filling, the CPSC recommends the following immediate steps: cool the area under running water for at least 20 minutes, gently wash with mild soap to remove residue, do not apply ice, cover the wound with a sterile dressing, and seek medical attention as needed. If chemical exposure or unusual symptoms occur, contact medical professionals or your local poison control center.

Bottom Line

What may appear as harmless online experimentation can cause serious injury. Keep squishy toys away from heat, check for recalls and product warnings, and treat any burst or leak as a potential burn and chemical hazard.