This popular Kmart toy could endanger your grandkids’ eyesight—a mum’s shocking experience revealed!

As young families begin their parenting journey, they often rely on the convenience and affordability of stores like Kmart to provide our grandkids with toys that entertain, educate, and sometimes even soothe.

However, a recent incident involving a popular Kmart toy has raised serious concerns about child safety, prompting a mother to share her harrowing experience in hopes of preventing similar incidents.


The toy in question, part of Kmart's $6 The Sensory Toybox Squish Balls line, was purchased by Mary Grace Ochoa for her son, who has autism.

She believed the sensory toy would be beneficial for him, but instead, it turned into a parent's nightmare.


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Sensory devices provide a host of mental, emotional, physical, and social benefits for children on the autism spectrum. Image Source: YouTube / @PixieRoxAsmr


While Mary was enjoying her dinner, her seven-year-old son was playing with the squish ball when it suddenly exploded, sending tiny particles flying into his face and eyes.

The family was thrown into a state of panic as they rushed to alleviate the boy's pain.

‘Me, my husband, my three-year-old and teen kids all panicked and got scared because my son was in intense pain in his right eye and couldn't open it. We ran him to the shower and tried to wash it out and my boy just kept screaming in pain,’ she said.


'My husband used a small cup and poured it on his eye to wash out lots of small round tiny particles [that had] exploded all over his face and eyes,' Mary recounted to Yahoo News Australia.

Mary also recalled that it ‘took nearly half an hour’ for her son to open his eye, which had become ‘swollen and red’.

She expressed her desire to call an ambulance but explained that she couldn't afford to do so, a reality that many Australian families can relate to given the rising costs of living and healthcare.

‘I just hope Kmart's sensory toys—particularly because they're used by kids with sensory issues and disabilities—are [more] safe. Better to remove it totally so nothing terrible happen to other kids too, this has been very, very terrifying.’



Source: TikTok / @stimsandcats​


Kmart has responded to the incident, stating that safety is their top priority and encouraging customers to report any product concerns.

'We always want to hear from customers about any concerns with our products so we can investigate and review,' a Kmart spokesperson said.

Customers can reach out to Kmart's customer service team at 1800 124 125 or through their website.
Key Takeaways

    • A mum has urgently warned about a Kmart sensory toy after it burst and injured her son's eye.
    • The toy from $6 The Sensory Toybox Squish Balls line caused intense pain and required the child to have particles washed from his face and eyes.
    • The mother expressed concern for the safety of Kmart's sensory toys, particularly for children with sensory issues and disabilities.
    • Kmart has been made aware of the incident and a spokesperson stated that safety is their top priority, inviting customers to report any concerns.
Furthermore, it's essential to know your rights as a consumer. In Australia, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) provides guidelines and assistance for product safety. If you encounter a dangerous product, you can report it to the ACCC, which can lead to investigations and, if necessary, recalls to protect other consumers.

Many readers grandparents and caregivers who purchase toys for the little ones in their lives. It's crucial that we stay informed about the products we bring into our homes and remain vigilant about their safety.

We encourage you to share your experiences and tips for ensuring the safety of children's toys in the comments below.
 
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This is terrible. Poor child would have been very scared. Cheap toys.
But to say they can't afford to pay for an ambulance is silly. Ambulance cover in Australia costs between $50 and $200 Per YEAR! Pay for the insurance and you won't worry about calling when you need them.
 
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Reactions: Noraya
Yahoo news? Channel 7 in other words. Anything on a tabloid 'news' feed needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Didn't sound like an ambulance would have been required, could have just got in their own car or called an uber if you don't have the basics of ambulance coverage.
 
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It might sound harsh, but I would rather pay off debts and get an ambulance for my child if need be. I hate people "playing the poor card". I was a single mum in a foreign country, no family, and for years no friends. I often went without food so I could afford insurance for my son and myself, so I know what it means to be short of money and unable to afford lots of things. But I never considered myself poor! I had a son I loved, I had a place to stay, and I always found jobs/work to keep our home and feed my son.
 
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