Dubai Police have warned against imitating videos circulating on social media platforms in which some children and teenagers put ‘slime’ in microwave ovens to raise its temperature and increase its flexibility.

The warning, issued by the Child and Women Protection Department at General Department of Human Rights and the Cybercrime and eCrime Prevention Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, confirmed that such practices may lead to burn incidents and serious injuries to children and teenagers due to chemical reactions and high temperatures.

As the summer holidays begin, Dubai Police have urged parents to guide their children against blindly imitating everything posted on social media in order to ensure their safety.

Dubai Police explained that exposing "slime" to high heat inside the microwave causes it to expand and release hot vapours and materials that may explode or splatter upon removal, exposing children to direct burns to the face, hands, and body. “Additionally, it may damage household appliances or cause small fires as a result of improper use,” they added.

Dubai Police affirmed that the danger of these circulating videos lies in the possibility of children imitating them without realising the consequences.

They called on parents to strengthen supervision of the content their children follow on social media platforms and not to allow children to use electrical appliances or microwaves without direct supervision. Dubai Police urged parents to visit the force’s awareness e-platform (ecrime hub) that offers valuable content in both Arabic and English, covering all aspects of protection against the dangers of cybercrime and viral trends.

Dubai Police concluded by emphasising the importance of reinforcing a culture of home safety in children during the summer holidays and investing their free time in safe and beneficial activities, wishing everyone a safe summer.