Squishy sensory toys and stress balls are popular with children and teens. Designed to be squeezed, stretched and manipulated, these toys can provide entertainment and sensory stimulation.
But what happens when a child bites into a squishy toy, it breaks open or someone tries to heat it?
The Iowa Poison Control Center (IPCC) has seen an increase in exposure cases involving squishy sensory toys and stress balls in 2026 compared to the previous two years. Most cases have involved children biting into or rupturing the toys, resulting in contact with or ingestion of the filling.
Summer in Iowa means more time outside and more encounters with mosquitoes and ticks. To help prevent bites, many families use insect repellents. One of the most common questions parents ask is:
Is bug spray safe for kids?
Summer means more grilling, bonfires, camping, and yard work. But products commonly used during warm weather — like gasoline, lighter fluid, charcoal starter, lamp oil, and torch fuel — can be very dangerous if swallowed or inhaled, especially for children.
Many of these products are called hydrocarbons, a group of chemicals found in fuels and oils. Even a small amount can cause serious breathing problems if it accidentally goes into the lungs.
Warmer weather means more time outside, and for kids, that often means exploring everything within reach.
Unfortunately, that curiosity sometimes includes putting things in their mouths that aren’t meant to be eaten.
The good news? Most of these situations can be managed safely with the right guidance, and that’s where the Iowa Poison Control Center (IPCC) comes in.
