A 9-year-old boy from Illinois, Caleb Chabolla, ended up in the hospital with serious burns after following a TikTok trend. Inspired by a schoolmate, he decided to heat his NeeDoh sensory toy in the microwave. On January 20, Caleb’s experiment took a dangerous turn when the toy exploded, causing burns to his face and hands.
His mother, Whitney Grubb, heard a terrifying scream from the kitchen. She rushed Caleb to the emergency room, where doctors found that his eye had swollen shut. He was soon transferred to a specialized burn center at Loyola Medicine in Maywood. Thankfully, his vision remained intact, and he has since returned home, where his mother is helping him heal.
This incident is not isolated. Paula Petersen, an advanced practice nurse at the burn center, mentioned that Caleb was the fourth case involving NeeDoh burns this year alone. Kelly McElligott, the burn outreach coordinator, emphasized the dangers of trends like this on social media. “We often see the negative effects of TikTok challenges,” she noted. The footage shared online may look fun, but behind the scenes, serious injuries can occur.
NeeDoh toys come with a label warning against heating, freezing, or microwaving. Yet many children don’t read these warnings. About 30% of patients in burn units are kids, drawing attention to the need for better safety education around such popular toys.
With the rise of social media, safety information is more crucial than ever. According to a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, emergency room visits related to social media challenges have jumped by 200% over the past few years. Parents should regularly talk to their kids about the potential dangers of following online trends without understanding them.
In a digital age, striking a balance between fun and safety is key. Let’s hope Caleb’s story encourages better awareness about the risks that come with online challenges.
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