A 9-year-old boy in Illinois is recovering from serious burns he got after microwaving a toy. Caleb Chabolla put a Needoh Cube in the microwave, thinking it would become softer. Within seconds, the toy exploded, injuring him. His mother, Whitney Grubb, recalls how he cried out in pain, saying, “It burns, it burns.”
The gel inside the toy got extremely hot and stuck to Caleb’s face. Whitney described it as if “the right side of his face was melting off.” This painful incident is linked to social media trends, particularly TikTok, where similar challenges have popped up. Caleb didn’t hear about it from TikTok directly, but a friend had done it without getting hurt.
Experts are alarmed by the frequency of injuries related to these social media trends. Kelly McElligott, a burn outreach coordinator at Loyola University Medical Center, stated that Caleb is the fourth patient this year harmed by Needoh Cubes. She noted, “The people who are getting hurt don’t always post the TikToks.” Many only see the fun parts without understanding the risks.
The family urges parents and children to think carefully before following trends. Whitney said, “Sometimes, you take for granted what your knowledge is… Just think before you act.” Caleb wants to share this lesson with his friends when he returns to school, urging them not to act without checking with an adult first.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, there were over 160,000 emergency room visits in 2022 for toy-related injuries, with the trend showing a significant increase compared to previous years. This number highlights just how crucial it is for both parents and kids to engage in discussions about safety and the potential dangers online trends can pose.
As Caleb continues to heal, medical professionals are using his story to raise awareness during National Burn Awareness Week, emphasizing the importance of understanding and respecting safety guidelines.
The need for accountability in social media challenges is clearer than ever. Parents and guardians must openly talk to children about the value of critical thinking when it comes to what they see online.
For more information on the risks associated with social media trends, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
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