A family from Massachusetts experienced a frightening health scare after using an Easy-Bake Oven, leading to their hospitalization. Stephanie, a TikTok user known as steph_murphy, shared a detailed account of the incident in a video posted on Monday.
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The family’s ordeal began when Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, and their 8-year-old daughter, Nora, decided to bake a red velvet cake with the new toy while Stephanie was in another room. The excitement quickly turned to concern when Nora noticed an unusual smell upon plugging in the oven, which Ryan dismissed as usual due to the oven’s plastic construction. It’s important to note that Ryan had been experiencing diminished taste and smell for three years following a about with COVID, possibly affecting his judgment.
Despite their efforts, the cake did not bake properly, leading them to abandon the endeavor. Shortly thereafter, Nora complained of chest pains, and within 45 minutes, both she and Ryan began experiencing difficulty breathing. Stephanie’s quick use of a pulse oximeter revealed Nora’s oxygen levels were dangerously low, prompting an emergency trip to the hospital.
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Doctors suspected carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of their symptoms, which all developed within an hour of using the oven. The fire department thoroughly inspected their home for potential hazards such as lead, carbon monoxide, and mold but found nothing, indicating that the oven was the likely source of their exposure.
The family’s recovery was swift, with Stephanie recovering faster than her husband and daughter, who required steroids and inhalers to aid their breathing. The incident raised serious questions about the safety of seemingly innocent household toys and the importance of heeding warning signs of potential danger.
In response to the incident, Hasbro, the manufacturer of the Easy-Bake Oven, stated PEOPLE, emphasizing their commitment to product safety and adherence to safety standards.
“Hasbro takes all product safety concerns seriously. Hasbro’s Easy Bake Ovens meets or exceeds all applicable safety standards. If consumers have any questions or concerns about their products, we encourage them to contact Hasbro Consumer Care at 1-800-255-5516,”
Hasbro has issued an updated statement saying they have contacted the family about the incident, and the Easy Bake Oven may give off a smell within the first few minutes of use due to the protected food-grade oil evaporating from the metal parts in the oven. Additionally, the oil is non-toxic, the range is heated with an electric coil, and it cannot release poisonous gases like carbon monoxide.
“At Hasbro, we take all product safety concerns seriously. We hold ourselves to the highest standards, and the Easy Bake Oven is designed to meet or exceed those standards. We are confident that there is nothing in the design of the Easy Bake Oven or Easy Bake mixes that could cause the symptoms described. Regardless of circumstances, the wellbeing of our customers is our foremost concern, and we wish those involved a speedy recovery.”