Nine-year-old Caleb Chabolla’s playful curiosity turned into a terrifying ordeal late last month, leaving him with second-degree burns after a seemingly harmless toy exploded in his face.
The incident began with a NeeDoh, a popular sensory toy marketed as a “super soft, super stretchy dough filled groovy glob.” Caleb, a fourth-grader from Illinois, had heard whispers among his classmates about a new trend – microwaving the toy to make it even softer.
Driven by youthful experimentation, Caleb briefly heated the NeeDoh. When he removed it and began to squeeze, the toy catastrophically burst, sending scalding gel across his face and hands.
His mother, Whitney Grubb, recounted the harrowing moment: a piercing scream, a frantic dash to the bathroom, and Caleb’s desperate cries of “it burns, it burns!” The right side of his face was coated in a thick, burning substance, revealing angry red skin underneath.
Initial attempts to wash away the gel proved too painful. Grubb immediately rushed Caleb to the emergency room, where doctors began the painstaking process of “debriding” the burns – carefully removing damaged tissue to prevent infection.
The severity of the injury extended to Caleb’s eye, which swelled shut. Ophthalmologists were brought in to assess for potential damage, adding another layer of concern to the already frightening situation.
What shocked doctors at Loyola hospital wasn’t just the extent of Caleb’s injuries, but the alarming frequency of similar cases. They revealed they had recently treated four other children with burns caused by microwaved NeeDohs, all stemming from a viral TikTok trend.
Caleb had learned about the dangerous practice not through social media itself, but through word of mouth at school, highlighting how quickly these trends can spread among children.
After two weeks of diligent wound care and daily cleanings, Caleb was finally released to return to school. While some spots still require healing and ongoing protection with vitamin E lotion and sunscreen, his face is significantly improved.
More than the physical healing, Caleb is overjoyed to be back with his friends, a testament to his resilient spirit. His mother, however, is determined to prevent other families from experiencing the same trauma.
Grubb’s message to parents is urgent: be aware of the hidden dangers lurking within seemingly innocent toys. She acknowledges the difficulty of constant supervision, but stresses that children often lack the understanding of potential risks and the speed at which things can heat up.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unforeseen consequences of online trends and the importance of open communication with children about safety, even when it comes to seemingly harmless playthings.
