Plainfield, Illinois – A Plainfield mother is urging parents to talk to their children about online challenges after a viral TikTok trend involving a popular sensory toy left her 9-year-old son with serious burns to his face and hands. Doctors say the injuries are part of a growing pattern tied to kids microwaving gel-filled toys to soften them.
Incident Overview
The incident centers on a Needoh cube, a flexible, jelly-like sensory toy filled with a gelatinous substance. While the toy itself is not defective, medical professionals say a TikTok trend encouraging children to heat the toy in a microwave has led to dangerous explosions and severe burn injuries.
According to Loyola Medicine, its burn center has treated four patients in recent months with burns directly linked to heated Needoh cubes. Physicians say the thick gel retains heat and sticks to the skin, increasing the severity of injuries.
Timeline of Events
The incident occurred a few weeks ago as Whitney Grubb and her family were getting ready for school. Her 9-year-old son, Caleb Chabolla, had heard about the trend from classmates and decided to try it at home.
“Him and a friend, through conversation, were talking about it at school, and then he, I guess, just got the idea to try it,” Grubb said.
Caleb placed the toy in the microwave. When he opened the door moments later, the cube exploded, spraying hot gel across his face and hands.
“I heard him scream and I saw him take off running towards one of our bathrooms and that stuff had popped on his face,” Grubb said.
Details From Doctors and Hospital Staff
Whitney rushed Caleb to the emergency room, where doctors diagnosed second-degree burns on one side of his face and on his hands. By the time he arrived at the hospital, swelling had become severe.
“By the time we were settled in at Loyola, his eye was completely swollen shut, so I was immediately worried about his eye,” Grubb said.
Kelly McElligott, a specialist at Loyola’s burn center, explained why these injuries are especially dangerous.
“Because it’s so viscous, it sticks, and it stays hot longer. It’s going to cause a more significant burn,” McElligott said.
Doctors cleaned the wounds, removed damaged skin, and applied medical ointments. An ophthalmologist evaluated Caleb’s eye and confirmed that his vision was not permanently affected.
Key Facts Parents Should Know
- Victim: Caleb Chabolla, 9 years old
- Location: Plainfield, Illinois
- Injury Type: Second-degree burns to face and hands
- Hospital Stay: Two days
- Cause: Microwaved Needoh cube following a TikTok trend
- Medical Outcome: No skin grafts required; possible scarring
Doctors say Caleb is not an isolated case.
“A child heated it up in the microwave, then put her finger on it and her finger went through, and it burned her finger,” McElligott said.
Additional Context on the Trend
Needoh cubes naturally firm up over time, which has led some users online to suggest heating them to restore flexibility. Safety experts stress that microwaves, hot water, or any heat source can cause the internal gel to superheat and rupture violently.
The manufacturer, Schylling, includes warning labels on the product advising users not to heat the toy. Attempts were made to contact the company for comment, but no response was received.
Online safety advocates encourage families to review content guidelines available through platforms like the TikTok Safety Center, which outlines risks associated with dangerous challenges and trends.
Safety and Awareness for Families
Medical professionals emphasize that many viral trends spread through peer conversations at school rather than direct social media use at home. Parents are encouraged to have proactive conversations about online challenges and household safety.
“Do not heat these up in any way, shape, or form. Whether it’s the microwave or hot water, those things can really be dangerous,” McElligott said.
“Just talk with your kids. Make sure they understand the safety of things,” Grubb added.
Conclusion
Caleb has a follow-up appointment at the burn clinic and is expected to return to school later this week. While his injuries are healing, his family hopes sharing his experience will prevent other children from being hurt by online trends that appear harmless but carry serious risks.
Parents and caregivers are reminded that warning labels exist for a reason, and curiosity combined with viral challenges can lead to life-altering injuries.
If your child has encountered a dangerous online trend or toy-related injury, share your experiences in the comments below.
