Boy Suffers Severe Burns After Exploding Stress Ball Toy Prompts Investigation

A judicial investigation is underway after an eight-year-old boy sustained severe second-degree burns to his face and chest when a "Squishy" stress ball toy exploded in his hands. The incident occurred on July 24, and the Saint-Omer prosecutor's office in Pas-de-Calais has opened an inquiry into "involuntary injury."

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The eight-year-old child was found with second-degree burns on his face and chest while using a "Squishy" type toy, which is a ball containing a malleable substance to squeeze.

The prosecutor's office confirmed the boy was using a malleable substance-filled toy when the explosion happened, leading to injuries that resulted in a total work incapacity exceeding three months. Investigators are working to determine the exact circumstances of the incident and whether a product defect is to blame. The General Directorate for Competition, Consumption, and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) is also conducting analyses.

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

The boy's mother described the terrifying moment her son, Melvyn, panicked after the toy burst, with his skin beginning to peel off as she tried to remove the gel. She had purchased the "Cool mix supergel" toy at a Smyths Toys store in Arques. The mother has filed a complaint with the Saint-Omer police. Similar toys have previously come under scrutiny, with British authorities recalling products containing excessive levels of benzene, a known carcinogen and irritant.

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In case of non-compliance and danger, the necessary measures to protect consumers will be taken, such as product withdrawals and recalls.