Third-degree burns and skin grafts: The popular medical device that left a trail of injured children

Third-degree burns and skin grafts: The popular medical device that left a trail of injured children Henrietta Cook, a reporter for The Age, described how she inadvertently became a victim of the Euky Bear, a popular humidifier marketed for relieving cold and flu symptoms in infants. She bought the $58 device from a pharmacy after her seven-month-old son developed croup, seeking a remedy for his persistent coughing. The Euky Bear, featuring a cartoonish image of a sleeping baby on its packaging, promised “natural all-night relief.” However, Cook soon discovered that the device posed serious risks. While attempting to turn it off, her skin came into contact with the hot plastic casing, resulting in a large, painful burn on her chest. The injury took months to heal, and she was one of the fortunate individuals who avoided more severe consequences. Since 2021, Australian consumers have filed 55 adverse reports regarding the Euky Bear with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Among these reports, at least two cases involved infants suffering third-degree burns after touching the device. One report detailed an infant who sustained full-thickness burns to two fingers, necessitating a skin graft. Another incident involved a parent reporting that their Euky Bear overheated and emitted a “dangerous, plastic smell,” prompting them to rush their baby to the hospital after inhaling the smoke. These incidents highlight the potential dangers associated with the product. Over the years, the manufacturer, Felton Grimwade & Bosisto’s Pty Ltd, faced numerous complaints about the device. Customers expressed concerns about the device’s lack of an off switch, the risk of overheating, and the accumulation of black sediment at the base of the unit. Many users suspected that the residue was linked to the disintegration of the heating element. A number of concerned parents shared their experiences on the Euky Bear Facebook page, describing frightening encounters with the device. One mother recounted how her vaporizer began to smoke and nearly caused a fire. Others warned about the buildup of residue, which they believed indicated a faulty internal component. In September 2023, the company initiated a partial recall of four batches of the Euky Bear, citing a “quality issue” related to the heating element potentially overheating. However, Cook’s device, an EBSV2013 model, was not included in the recall. Undeterred, she contacted the manufacturer via email on October 6, 2023, requesting a refund and expressing concern about the device’s potential harm to children. She emphasized that if the device had burned her, what kind of damage could it inflict on a vulnerable infant? Additionally, she highlighted the presence of black sediment at the bottom of the unit, attributing it to the disintegration of the heating module. The pharmacy where she had originally purchased the device arranged for the unit to be sent to the manufacturer for safety testing. A month later, the manufacturer responded, stating that the device was “operating per normal” and asserting confidence that it did not pose a risk if used according to the operating manual. The customer service team informed Cook that they would report her concerns to the TGA. In a brief reply, she acknowledged the testing but expressed her lingering unease, noting that she would never feel safe using the device again after her experience. The Euky Bear remained unused, collecting dust in her garage, until it resurfaced during an investigation into medical devices conducted by her colleague Liam Mannix. Their research uncovered a pattern of adverse reports tied to the Euky Bear, underscoring ongoing safety concerns.