SCHOOLS and families have been warned not to freeze or heat up sensory cubes to avoid “severe burns”.
In a statement sent to schools, the department said they were aware of “a TikTok challenge encouraging people to heat or freeze NeeDoh Nice cubes” – but warned that doing so could lead to injury.
The squishy cubes, which are marketed as “stress relief toys” that help with focus and calming, are made of thermoplastic rubber, according to the manufacturer NeeDoh.
This follows reports in the US of children suffering severe injuries after trying to microwave the cubes.
A 7-year-old girl in Missouri was reported as being left in a coma last year after she froze the toy and then tried to heat it up.
The toy was designed to be soft and malleable, according to the manufacturer, while maintaining its shape.
When heated up, the gel inside the cube heats up and can explode, particularly just after they are picked up or squeezed, an emergency doctor told Parents magazine last year.
The Education Department told families and schools that they should use the cubes in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
