If you have children aged 3 to 13, you’re likely familiar with the slime craze that has taken over playtime. Homemade slime is not only inexpensive and quiet, but it also keeps kids entertained for hours. However, recent reports of children suffering from serious skin burns from DIY slime suggest that homemade may not always equal safe.
The Case of Jamie Martins
Take the case of 12-year-old Jamie Martins, who became quite the slime enthusiast over the past few months. Jamie was crafting slime daily, even selling her gooey creations to friends at school. Her parent, Lisa, thought it was a fantastic hobby that kept Jamie off screens. “I thought it was wonderful,” Lisa shared with a local news outlet. “I bought all the supplies and was thrilled to see her experimenting like a little scientist.”
But during a sleepover, Jamie woke up in the night, her hands tingling and burning. By morning, she was in tears, her hands covered in blisters. After a frantic trip to the hospital, they discovered that her burns were likely due to prolonged exposure to borax, a common ingredient in homemade slime. “I feel awful,” Lisa lamented. “How could I let this happen?”
Understanding the Risks
In Jamie’s case, the burns were classified as second and third-degree, and while she is expected to recover fully, she’s missed school and has to wear splints on her hands during healing.
Borax isn’t typically harmful with casual contact, but overexposure can lead to redness and peeling. Lisa isn’t alone in her experience; another parent, Sarah Thompson from the UK, shared alarming photos of her daughter’s burns after using slime made from glue and laundry detergent. “She started with blisters, then her skin peeled, and now she’s dealing with chemical burns!” Sarah revealed. Her daughter might even need surgery to fix the damage.
A Warning for Parents
Lisa hopes her experience serves as a warning for other parents. “I’ve heard moms say, ‘It’s fine; we’ve made it a million times!’ We did too, and then this happened.”
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Conclusion
In summary, while the DIY slime trend seems harmless, it can pose serious risks if not monitored. Borax and certain other ingredients can lead to painful burns, so it’s crucial for parents to be aware and cautious.