CPSC warns about counterfeit squishy toys and burn hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned consumers Tuesday about fake and counterfeit squishy toys and repeated its warning that heating the toys can cause serious burn hazards.

The alert said the toys are sold through online marketplaces, social media, discount stores and other retailers. It said counterfeit versions may fail federal toy safety rules covering water beads, small parts, lead, phthalates and other hazardous substances.

CPSC said videos online show squishy toys expanding, changing texture or bursting when heated, and said children may be exposed to the contents if the outer covering tears. The agency said some toys contain water beads or other gels, liquids, powders or sand.

In the alert, the commission said water beads can expand after being swallowed and may cause intestinal blockages, choking or aspiration. It also said they can injure children if inserted into the nose or ear. The agency said unknown filling materials may also raise chemical exposure, inhalation or ingestion risks.

CPSC said it has identified 55 shipments of violative squishy toys at U.S. ports and worked with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to stop 355,683 units from entering the country. It also said it issued notices of violation to companies tied to importing or selling noncompliant products.

The commission said the products can also become dangerously hot when left in direct sunlight, inside a hot vehicle, near a heater or in another high-temperature setting. Heated toys may burst and release material that can cause severe burns, and sticky filling can cling to skin and make injuries worse, the alert said.

CPSC said federal law bars the importation and sale of children’s toys that do not meet applicable safety standards. It said children’s toys generally must be tested by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory and certified as meeting federal requirements.

The agency advised consumers to buy from reputable retailers and verified sellers, watch for unusually low prices, and check packaging for misspellings or missing manufacturer or importer information. It said consumers should stop using toys that are torn, punctured, leaking, sticky, unusually soft, discolored or otherwise deteriorating.

CPSC also said consumers should never microwave or intentionally heat squishy toys and should keep damaged toys away from children. For burns, the alert recommends cool running water for at least 20 minutes, gentle washing with mild soap, avoiding ice, covering the area with a nonstick sterile dressing and seeking medical care for severe burns, burns in young children or signs of infection.

The commission said it is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury from consumer products and has operated for more than 50 years.

What happens next is continued import surveillance, enforcement and public warnings, according to the agency.

Sources

• CPSC consumer safety alert

Editorial note: This article was prepared with AI assistance and includes source attribution for reader review.