A Child’s Tragic Accident Sparks Warning About Squishy Toys
In a horrifying accident that highlights the dangers lurking in seemingly harmless toys, a young girl was severely burned after a popular squishy toy she microwaved exploded in her face.
Scarlett Selby, a seven-year-old from Festus, Missouri, is now recovering from third-degree burns, with her family hoping to raise awareness and prevent similar incidents from happening to others.
The Experiment Gone Wrong
Scarlett had seen videos on TikTok of people microwaving a NeeDoh cube to make it softer and more squishy.
Inspired by these clips, she decided to try it herself.
She froze the toy the night before and then microwaved it for a few seconds the next day, but what seemed like a harmless experiment turned into a nightmare.
The toy exploded, spraying hot goo all over Scarlett’s face and chest.
Her father, Josh Selby, described the terrifying moment when he heard her scream.
Rushing to her side, he tried desperately to remove the sticky substance from her skin, but it clung to her like glue.
He immediately drove her to the hospital, fearing the worst.
Immediate Medical Attention and Induced Coma
Scarlett’s condition was critical.
When they arrived at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, doctors placed her in a medically induced coma to prevent her burned airways from swelling.
The first days after the explosion were excruciating for Scarlett, who continued to scream in pain throughout the journey to the hospital.
Her mother, Amanda Blakenship, recalls the terrifying drive and the anguish she felt seeing her daughter in such pain.
For a week, Scarlett remained in the hospital.
During this time, she was placed on a feeding tube due to the severity of her burns.
Although her doctors initially considered performing a skin graft, they decided to wait, hoping her body would heal on its own as she grew.
The Long Road to Recovery
Now, months after the incident, Scarlett faces an uncertain future.
Her parents continue to use creams and silicone ointments on her scars, which remain raised and severe.
Her mother, Amanda, expressed concern that Scarlett may eventually need a skin graft, especially as her scars might not stretch with her growing body.
Despite the pain and emotional toll, Scarlett has shown remarkable strength, although the psychological impact remains.
She sometimes feels self-conscious about her appearance, covering her scars when in public or crying in front of the mirror.
“I tell her she doesn’t need to be embarrassed,” Amanda shared.
“She went through a lot, and those scars make her who she is.”
The Call to Action: Discard the Toys
Scarlett’s father is now speaking out, urging parents to throw away any similar toys they might have.
He explained how the toy’s substance behaves like hot glue, and once it makes contact with skin, it’s nearly impossible to remove.
Josh believes that products like these should not be sold or marketed in such a way, especially when they can cause such a dangerous explosion.
“I never thought something like that could happen,” Josh said.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve gone through.
I’ve told everyone I know to throw them out.”
The Manufacturer’s Warning and Social Media’s Role
The toy’s manufacturer, Schylling Toys, has a warning on their website stating that the NeeDoh toys should not be microwaved, frozen, or heated in any way, as it could result in injury.
While TikTok and YouTube both claim to prohibit dangerous content, incidents like this highlight the risks posed by viral trends. TikTok assured that they have systems in place to detect and remove harmful content, while YouTube emphasized their commitment to user safety, especially for minors.
Scarlett’s family hopes that by sharing their story, they can prevent others from going through the same traumatic experience.