Fire marshals in Nassau County are warning parents about a social media trend that has left children burned, according to News 12.
Officials say the trend involves gel-filled squishy toys, sold as collectible items, that children have been putting into microwaves.
According to officials, heating the toys can cause them to explode and ooze hot gel, leaving children badly burned. A similar case involving a nine-year-old was reported near Chicago.
In Nassau County, fire marshals say two young girls from Floral Park, ages four and eight, were burned on Thursday when one of the toys gave way and its gel got onto them.
The two girls were taken to the Nassau University Medical Center burn unit, where they were in serious condition, according to the fire marshal.
Fire marshals said that while trends come and go, injuries can be permanent, and warned that a repeat could be even worse. The platform TikTok has begun showing a warning screen to people searching for the trend.