Israeli Pediatricians Condemn Upcoming Squishy Toy Festival Amid Safety Fears

In recent months, health reports revealed multiple cases of children suffering severe injuries from squishy toys, including prolonged hospitalizations. In one harrowing incident, a 10-year-old boy suffered severe burns after heating the toy in a microwave, causing it to explode and splash hot gel onto his chest, neck, and hands. He spent over a month at the national burn unit in Sheba Medical Center. Another 11-year-old child was hospitalized under similar circumstances, and a 7-year-old girl suffered facial burns.

Following these exposures, the Ministry of Economy and Industry initiated inspections and controls on squishy products marketed across the country, sampling items from various manufacturers to test compliance with official toy safety standards. Despite these warnings, the trend that has captivated Israeli children is now taking center stage with the upcoming "Israel Squishy Festival" scheduled for Hanukkah on December 6. The event will feature a competition with social media stars, booths, activities, and an exchange zone for the controversial toys.

Pediatric Warnings and Festival Controversy

Dr. Adi Weiss-Pink, a pediatrician with Clalit Health Services in the Dan-Petah Tikva district, sharply criticized the festival's organization. "This is a toy that has already caused actual harm to children's health, ranging from chemical burns and eye and ear injuries to prolonged hospitalizations, and now people have decided to dedicate an entire festival to it. This is not a theoretical danger," she stated.

"We still do not know what all these products contain or the potential consequences of exposure to their materials. Instead of warning children and parents about the risks, this toy is being celebrated and its use encouraged. As a pediatrician, my recommendation is to avoid participating in the festival and to use products whose origin and composition are unknown." — Dr. Adi Weiss-Pink

Official Responses and Safety Guidelines

In response to public concern, the Ministry of Health issued guidelines and safety warnings regarding toy selection and usage. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy and Industry stated that chemical tests conducted via the Standards Institution of Israel found no anomalous findings indicating extreme danger, and abuse tests confirmed shell durability under reasonable use for children over three.

The Chief Standardization Officer issued key safety recommendations for the public:

• Squishy products are not intended for toddlers under the age of 3 and must be kept out of reach.

• There is a danger in biting them and putting them into the mouth.

• Periodically check for holes or tears; if damaged, discard the toy immediately.

• Do not expose the product to extreme temperatures, including leaving it in a vehicle, microwaving, or freezing.

Organizers of the festival defended the event, stating that child safety is their top priority. They emphasized full cooperation with the importer M. Caro, noting that products featured at the festival will carry compliance certificates under EN71 standards and quality control markers, alongside on-site safety awareness campaigns.