Squishy stress ball explodes in 8-year-old boy's face in France, prompting investigation

Incident in Arcques

On July 24, 2026, an 8-year-old boy named Melvyn was playing with a squishy stress ball at his home in Arcques, Pas-de-Calais, when the toy burst in his face. The boy suffered second-degree burns to his face and thorax. The toy was a Cool Mix Supergel squishy, purchased by his mother at a Smyths Toys store in Arques. The boy was squeezing the ball when it exploded, spraying its gel contents onto his face and chest.

The mother described the scene to the regional newspaper La Voix du Nord.

“When he came to me, Melvyn was panicked. I tried to remove the gel around his mouth, but the skin was coming off with it. I immediately understood it was serious.”

Medical treatment

Emergency responders took Melvyn to the nearest hospital's emergency department. Due to the severity of the burns, he was transferred to a specialized burns unit in Lille, where he continues to receive treatment. Every dressing change must be performed under general anesthesia, according to his mother. The boy will need a skin transplant in the coming days.

“All treatments must be done under general anesthesia.”

Investigation opened

On Sunday, August 9, the Saint-Omer prosecutor's office confirmed to AFP that it had opened an investigation for "involuntary injuries resulting in total work incapacity exceeding three months." The investigation must determine the exact circumstances of the incident and whether it is attributable to a product defect. The prosecutor detailed that on July 24, 2026, an 8-year-old child was found with second-degree burns to the face and thorax while using a Squishy-type toy ball containing a malleable substance.

In parallel, the DGCCRF (Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention) is conducting analyses on the product. The agency stated that in case of non-conformities or danger, necessary measures to protect consumers would be taken, including product withdrawals and recalls.

Previous safety concerns

This is not the first time squishy toys have drawn scrutiny. The DGCCRF noted that British authorities have recalled similar products due to excessive benzene concentration, a substance classified as carcinogenic and irritating. No link has been established between those recalls and the product involved in the Pas-de-Calais incident.

A study by KU Leuven, commissioned by the Belgian outlet HLN and VTM News, found that squishy toys contain potentially carcinogenic substances, including xylene, benzene derivatives, and naphthalene derivatives, which are released when the toy is heated. Following the study, several stores stopped selling squishy dumplings.

In Scotland, the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow has treated six children over the past eight months for injuries related to the practice of microwaving squishies to soften them. Some children required surgery and skin grafts. No connection has been established between this practice and the July 24 incident in France.

Product still on sale

As of August 9, the Cool Mix Supergel squishy was still being sold on the Smyths Toys website, according to NOS. Smyths Toys had not responded to NOS's requests for comment. The mother filed a complaint at the Saint-Omer police station and spoke publicly to warn other parents.