Products Liability Law Daily Wrap Up, CPSC NEWS—CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS—CPSC warns of counterfeit squishy toys and burn risks, (Aug 6, 2026)
By WK Editorial Staff
The toys should never be heated in a microwave.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers about fake and counterfeit squishy toys that may pose serious safety risks to children, and is reiterating an earlier warning about burn hazards linked to a viral social media trend that encourages children and teens to microwave the toys (CPSC News Release, No. 26-684 (Aug. 5, 2026)).
Squishy toys, which include animal-, food-, and character-shaped squeeze toys, are widely sold through online marketplaces, social media platforms, discount stores, and other retailers. According to CPSC, some counterfeit versions fail to comply with federal safety requirements for children's toys, including standards addressing water beads, small parts, lead, phthalates, and other hazardous substances.
The agency cautioned consumers against attempting or imitating demonstrations shown online of squishy toys expanding, changing texture, or bursting when heated. Some squishy toys contain water beads or other gels, liquids, powders, or sand, and a torn or ruptured outer covering can expose children to those materials.
Hazards linked to toy contents. CPSC said water beads can expand after being swallowed and may cause intestinal blockages, choking, or aspiration. They can also cause injuries if inserted into a child's nose or ear. Other unidentified filling materials may present chemical exposure, inhalation, or ingestion hazards.
According to the agency, counterfeit squishy toys may break or tear during foreseeable use, releasing small parts or hazardous contents. They also may contain excessive levels of lead, prohibited phthalates, or other hazardous chemicals; fail to comply with federal requirements governing water beads; lack required warnings or manufacturer information; and be sold without required testing and certification.
Enforcement efforts. To date, CPSC has identified 55 shipments of violative squishy toys at U.S. ports and worked with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prevent 355,683 units from entering the country. The agency has also issued notices of violation to companies responsible for importing or selling noncompliant products.
Federal law prohibits the importation and sale of children's toys that do not meet applicable CPSC safety standards. The agency stated that children's toys generally must be tested by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory and certified as complying with federal requirements. The Commission said it will continue enforcement efforts at ports and across online marketplaces to prevent unsafe products from reaching consumers.
Guidance for consumers. The Commission advises consumers not to purchase counterfeit squishy toys and to stop using any toy with an unknown manufacturer, missing safety information, a strong chemical odor, an oily or unusually sticky feel, signs of leaking, or the ability to be easily torn apart.
The agency also warned that squishy toys can become dangerously hot when left in direct sunlight, inside a hot vehicle, near a heater, or in another high-temperature environment. Heated toys may burst and release material capable of causing severe burns. Because some released material may adhere to the skin, it can continue transferring heat and increase the severity of injuries.
CPSC urges consumers to purchase toys from reputable retailers, inspect toys regularly for damage, keep damaged products away from children, avoid exposing squishy toys to heat, follow age restrictions, and exercise caution when cleaning up materials released from a damaged or heated toy. If a burn occurs, the agency recommends cooling the affected skin under running water for at least 20 minutes, gently washing the area with mild soap, covering the injury with a nonstick sterile dressing, and seeking medical attention for severe burns, burns involving young children, or signs of infection.
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