An 11-year-old girl narrowly escaped blindness after a squishy cube purchased from Tesco exploded onto her face while she was following a viral social media trend. The incident has prompted a warning from her mother and a product packaging change.
The Incident
Gina Rowe, 35, was at home in Irvine, Ayrshire, with her family eating a takeaway when she heard screaming from the kitchen. Rushing in, she found her daughter Scarlet with glittery slime covering her face. Gina had recently bought a three-pack of squishy cubes from Tesco and initially thought one had burst. However, she soon learned that Scarlet had heated the cube in the microwave to make it more malleable, following a trend seen on social media. The toy exploded, showering Scarlet with molten goo.
Injuries and Medical Treatment
Scarlet was taken to University Hospital Cross House in Kilmarnock, where doctors cleaned burns around her left eye. She may require a skin graft in the future, depending on how the injury heals. Gina expressed relief that the burns were not worse, stating, 'She could've lost her sight and potentially been blind.'
Mother's Warning
Gina, a retail merchandiser and mother of six, is now warning other parents about the dangers of online trends. 'Don't be naive in thinking your kid won't do it,' she said. 'I didn't think my kids would follow online trends. It happens in the blink of an eye.' She has since banned squishies from her home.
Manufacturer and Retailer Response
Tesco expressed regret over the incident and reminded customers that such items should never be microwaved, advising parents to read safety information included with children's products. The toy manufacturer, One for Fun, announced they will add a 'Do Not Heat' warning to this product and all similar items as an additional precaution. A spokesperson said, 'The product is not designed or intended to be heated, microwaved, or altered in any way... We strongly urge parents and carers to supervise children’s use of toys and to discourage participation in potentially dangerous social media challenges or trends.'
This incident underscores the risks of viral trends and the importance of parental supervision when children engage with online content.
