Heating slime in a microwave can burn children and even start household fires, and Dubai Police are asking families to keep the trend away from kids as the summer break begins.
That warning came in a joint advisory from two units within the force: the Child and Women Protection Department under the General Department of Human Rights, and the Cybercrime and e-Crime Prevention Department under the General Department of Criminal Investigation. According to the departments, putting slime through a microwave can set off chemical reactions that leave children exposed to serious burns.
The mechanics, as police described them, are straightforward and hazardous. When slime is subjected to high heat, it swells and gives off scalding vapours and material that can burst or splatter the moment it is taken out of the appliance. Faces, hands and other areas of the body are all at risk of direct contact burns. Beyond injuries to people, authorities noted that the practice can wreck kitchen appliances and, in some cases, spark small fires through misuse of the microwave.
The advisory was prompted by viral clips showing minors and teenagers attempting the stunt. Police pointed out that these videos tend to circulate widely at the start of the school holidays, when young people are online more often and more likely to copy whatever challenge is trending. The core problem, the force said, is that children reproduce what they see without grasping where it can lead.
To counter that, parents were urged to step in directly rather than leave their children to follow online content unquestioned. That means keeping an eye on what young people are watching and making sure no child operates electrical devices, microwaves included, without an adult present. Police also pointed families toward e-Crime Hub, an awareness platform offering material in both Arabic and English on staying safe online and recognising harmful trends.
Guiding children toward worthwhile ways to fill their free hours, the force added, is part of building a safer home environment through the summer weeks.
