An Alabama teenager and his family are speaking out after a social media trend caused a devastating injury. The incident left 13-year-old Eli Blackmon with third-degree burns from a microwaved sensory toy.

Incident Overview

At the age of 11, Eli became interested in a TikTok trend that showed people microwaving NeeDoh squishy toys. These toys are marketed as soft and stretchy, much like a stress ball. Eli thought it was harmless, especially after seeing an adult try it without consequences.

“I thought it was harmless,” Eli shared, but when he and his sister played with the heated toy, it exploded. The hot gel inside caused severe burns to his neck, chest, and hands.

Family’s Reaction and Injury Aftermath

Eli’s mother, Fallon Blackmon, described the family’s terror during the incident. “I was frantic because my son was screaming,” she stated. Her husband, a fire medic, realized the severity of Eli’s burns, which required immediate medical attention.

Eli’s injuries led to frequent visits to a burn unit. For four months, doctors treated the burns by scraping off dead skin without using pain medication, making each visit extremely painful.

Additional Complications

The burns resulted in further complications. Eli developed a rash from his bandages which led to a staph infection. The burns also affected his hydration, causing gastrointestinal problems.

As a jiu-jitsu athlete, Eli’s injuries interrupted his training and competitions. The family faced mounting expenses, accumulating thousands of dollars in medical bills.

Preventive Message

The Blackmon family wants to prevent similar situations for others. They urge parents to discuss the dangers of such trends with their children, highlighting that even if kids don’t actively use social media, they still hear about these trends from peers.

Eli continues to manage his recovery, performing daily exercises and treatments on his scar to maintain neck mobility. Despite challenges, he remains resilient with the support of family and friends.

Eli stressed a critical message to other kids: “Don’t do it! It causes so much pain.”

Fallon Blackmon echoes this, emphasizing the trauma such incidents can impose on families.

Platform Response

TikTok has policies to remove content that encourages dangerous behavior. The company claims to act swiftly in removing such videos, although this incident highlights the potential risks children face.