A nine-year-old boy from Illinois has been left with severe burns after participating in a perilous TikTok trend that involved using a microwave in a hazardous manner. The incident occurred on the morning of January 20 at the family home in Plainfield, highlighting the risks associated with viral online challenges.
Morning Routine Turns to Tragedy
While preparing for school, Caleb decided to place a Needoh cube, a popular sensory toy filled with a thick gel substance, into the microwave. His mother, Whitney Grubb, was assisting another child at the time and initially believed Caleb was simply heating his breakfast. The situation changed dramatically when she heard a terrifying scream from her son.
"When I asked what happened, he told me that a friend at school told him about putting it in the microwave," Grubb explained to the Chicago Sun Times. "It wasn’t anything malicious, it was just kids sharing stories, and unfortunately, he decided to try it."
Explosive Consequences
Upon opening the microwave door, the gel-filled toy exploded violently, covering Caleb's face and hands with scalding material. The viscous gel adhered to his skin, causing immediate and intense pain. Grubb attempted to remove the substance in the shower but found it too thick and painful to manage effectively.
The emergency response involved initial treatment at a local hospital before Caleb was transferred to the specialized Loyola Burn Center in Maywood for more comprehensive care.
Medical Assessment and Treatment
Medical professionals diagnosed Caleb with second-degree burns affecting his face, hands, and the area behind one ear. His eye became completely swollen shut following the explosion, though fortunately, an ophthalmologist confirmed no permanent damage to the eye itself.
Kelly McElligott, a burn outreach coordinator at Loyola, explained the particular danger posed by the gelatinous material: "Because it's so viscous, it sticks, and it stays hot longer, it's going to cause a more significant burn."
Treatment involved thorough washing of the burns, removal of dead skin, and application of specialized ointments. Caleb spent two days in hospital care and avoided needing skin grafts, though medical staff warned that scarring remains a possibility as he recovers.
A Wider Pattern of Incidents
Disturbingly, Caleb represents just one of several children who have suffered injuries from this specific trend. McElligott revealed that the burn center has treated four patients injured while attempting to microwave Needoh cubes.
"A child who heated it up in the microwave, then put her finger on it and her finger went through, and it burned her finger," McElligott recalled from another case, illustrating the varied ways these incidents can occur.
Urgent Safety Warnings Issued
Both medical professionals and the affected family are issuing strong cautions against attempting such dangerous challenges. McElligott emphasized: "Do not heat these up in any way, shape, or form. Whether it's the microwave, hot water, those things can really be dangerous."
Grubb echoed this sentiment, adding crucial advice for parents: "Just talk with your kids, make sure they understand the safety of the things."
It's worth noting that Needoh cubes already carry warning labels explicitly advising against heating the products. The toy's manufacturer, family-owned company Schylling, has been contacted regarding these incidents.
This troubling case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly online trends can translate into real-world danger, particularly when children experiment without understanding the potential consequences of their actions.
