Illinois Boy Suffers Burns After Microwaving Sensory Toy, Prompting Safety Warnings

Child Injured After Microwaving Toy in Illinois

On Jan. 20, in Illinois, 9-year-old Caleb Chabolla suffered multiple burn injuries after he microwaved a NeeDoh Nice Cube sensory toy for about 40 seconds. Caleb’s mother, Whitney Grubb, said the toy exploded when he removed it from the microwave, causing injuries to his face and hands.

Incident Details and Immediate Response

Grubb said her son got the idea to microwave the NeeDoh Nice Cube from a friend. She also said there are videos shared online in which NeeDoh Nice Cubes are placed in a microwave in an attempt to make them more pliable. According to Grubb, she heard Caleb screaming that it burned and saw the right side of his face covered in a clear, thick gel-like substance after the explosion.

Following the incident, Grubb rushed Caleb to a local emergency room. He was then transferred to Loyola University Medical Center's Burn Center in Maywood, Illinois. Loyola Medicine confirmed that Caleb was treated for second-degree burns on his face, ear and hands.

Hospital Confirms Multiple Similar Cases

A nurse with Loyola University Medical Center's Burn Center, Paula Petersen, said Caleb’s injury is the fourth case the hospital has treated this year involving burns from microwaving NeeDoh Nice Cube toys. Petersen stated that Caleb was very lucky he did not sustain more severe injuries.

Product Warnings and Online Trend

NeeDoh toys, including the NeeDoh Nice Cube, are a line of sensory toys produced by the toy company Schylling. They are promoted as objects that can be stretched and squeezed without losing their shape. Schylling’s website for the NeeDoh Nice Cube includes a warning stating: “CHOKING HAZARD -- Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs., Do NOT heat, freeze, or microwave, may cause personal injury.”

Grubb said that despite this warning, some videos online show NeeDoh Nice Cubes being microwaved as part of a trend to change the toy’s texture. She described her main goal as warning others about the product and the challenge so that parents can show their children what can happen if they attempt similar actions.

Recovery and Current Condition

Grubb said Caleb was admitted to the hospital overnight and later released. She reported that he returned to school for the first time on a Wednesday after a two-week recovery period. According to Grubb, he is doing well and getting back into the normal routine of his life.