Poison center reports on squishy toys exceed 11,500 since 2024
America’s Poison Centers logged more than 11,500 reports of squishy‑toy exposures since 2024. Over half of those reports came in the first six months of 2026, according to Business Insider.
In 85% of cases, no symptoms were recorded, and 94% of exposures were managed without hospital care. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and U.S. Customs intercepted 96 shipments and more than 640,000 squishy‑toy items this year. Shein removed a squishy toy from its site after a four‑year‑old was injured, though the retailer did not disclose the product’s contents.
U.S. regulations require independent testing only for toys marketed to children under 13, leaving manufacturers to set their own age grades. As a result, many squishy toys are sold as all‑ages stress balls or desk toys to avoid mandatory testing.
What we know
Poison center reports of squishy toys topped 11,500 since 2024.
More than half of the reports arrived in the first six months of 2026.
85% of exposures had no symptoms logged.
94% of exposures were handled outside a hospital.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Customs stopped 96 shipments and more than 640,000 items this year.