Loyola Medicine Alerts on TikTok Trend Hospitalizing Plainfield Boy, 9, with Burns
Loyola Medicine has issued a serious warning regarding a troubling TikTok trend that recently resulted in a 9-year-old boy from Plainfield being hospitalized due to burns. This incident marks the fourth case linked to the trend reported by the hospital this year.
Incident Overview
The event occurred on January 20, when Whitney Grubb was preparing her two sons for school. Her son, Caleb, looked to use the microwave and inadvertently caused a severe accident.
Grubb initially thought Caleb was simply warming up breakfast. However, the situation escalated when she heard a “blood-curdling scream” as Caleb opened the microwave. Instead of food, he had microwaved a Needoh cube, a sensory toy filled with gelatinous material.
The Aftermath
Upon opening the microwave, the cube exploded, causing burns to Caleb’s face and hands. Grubb recounted her son’s experience: “When I asked him what happened, he told me that a friend at school told him about putting it in the microwave.” She noted that there was no malicious intent; it was simply children sharing experiences.
Grubb attempted to wash off the thick material in the shower, but the pain was too severe, prompting their visit to the emergency room. Caleb was subsequently transferred to Loyola University Medical Center’s burn center for specialized care.
Medical Insights
Paula Petersen, an advanced practice nurse at the burn center, stated, “Caleb is very lucky he didn’t sustain greater injuries.” She highlighted the danger of such trends, noting that children often do not fully comprehend the severe consequences of their actions.
Response from TikTok
In response to the incidents, a spokesperson from TikTok USDS Joint Venture emphasized the platform’s commitment to safety. They mentioned that the community guidelines prohibit content promoting dangerous activities. In the third quarter of the previous year, TikTok took proactive measures, removing 99.8% of harmful videos before any reports were made and addressing over 97% within 24 hours.
Safety Precautions
This alarming trend serves as a reminder for parents to educate their children about the dangers associated with following social media challenges. It’s imperative for children to understand the potential risks involved in such activities.
- Monitor children’s online engagement
- Discuss the dangers of social media trends
- Encourage safe play and exploration with supervision
As incidents like Caleb’s arise, both healthcare providers and social media platforms must work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of young users. Awareness can help prevent further injuries linked to reckless trends.
