Why Viral Dumpling Squishy Toys are Considered Unsafe
On social media platforms, there can be viral videos and toys that are generally considered unsafe. Dumpling squishy toys, which have given some people burns and injuries, are one of the unsafe ones.
The last viral toy trend, labubus, caused a spark of counterfeiting companies trying to pass off fake labubus to make money. This is happening again with dumpling squishies, and companies are trying to make fakes to sell, but the fakes do not meet basic safety regulations, leading to officers confiscating them.
Dumpling squishies, or bao bun fidgets, are viral toys that can be stretched, squeezed, pinched, or rolled. They combine blind unboxing with fidget toys, two of the most popular kinds of toys, and can be used for stress relief, and are highly in demand.
So, why are these toys dangerous? The original versions are fine as long as you follow the instructions. The counterfeit ones are the problems. They have strong chemical smells and do not have essential safety labelling. Trading Standards , a company that ensures the safetly of products, is urging customers to check labelling before purchasing any product and to immediately discard if there is any sign of a leak or spill.
Social media trends can make these toys dangerous. In a TikTok video, someone microwaved the squishy, claiming it makes the gel “pliable”. In reality, the gel heats, building up pressure until it explodes, sometimes while you are squishing it. This viral internet trend has left many children with burns and scars for life.
While some people might say that if they follow the directions, nothing will go wrong, this clearly doesn’t apply to the counterfeit versions, but maybe to the real version. But the problem is, many people, especially kids, who are obsessed with TikTok and other social media platforms might not care about the instructions.
This is why you should read the labelling of every product carefully to avoid buying counterfeits. You should also carefully read the instructions of every product carefully, to avoid injuries and burns.
Sources:
BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/c1m21xgpjd0o
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62d4pqjqrlo
Warrington: https://www.warrington.gov.uk/news/trading-standards-seizes-unsafe-squishy-toys-amid-safety-concerns