The trip is prepared, the suitcases are packed, the passport is in place, and the child’s favorite “Squishy” or “NeeDoh” – a kind of stress ball filled with thick gel – is traveling along.
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However, it is precisely such an innocently looking toy that can become an obstacle at airport security checks. A girl recently experienced this, and her story spread on TikTok. During the check, she had to say goodbye to her toys – the girl cried because of it.
A child’s toy can become an unexpected problem before a flight.
The reason is simple. Alexander Renner, a representative of the Zurich canton police, explained that many such toys contain gel or liquid inside. Therefore, airports may apply the rules for liquids carried in hand luggage to them – similar to water bottles or shampoo.
A video filmed in the USA showed how quickly a child’s favorite toy can become an unexpected problem before a flight.
The video received almost 14 million views
The post published on social media has already been viewed almost 14 million times and sparked heated discussions.
Some commentators said they understood the security rules and called the situation an important lesson for the child. Others criticized the decision to confiscate popular toys. Several internet users claimed they had previously flown with similar toys in hand luggage without any problems.
The girl’s mother also received criticism.
“Who wouldn’t check their child’s backpack to make sure there is nothing inside that could cause problems during the check?” asked one commentator.
Another called the situation “a lesson for both of you”: the girl learned what should not be put in hand luggage, and the mother learned that it is worth checking the child’s backpack before departure.
However, some people sided with the girl.
“Poor child! ‘NeeDoh’ toys are so hard to find,” wrote one commentator.
Rules may vary at different airports
Alexander Renner, a representative of the Zurich canton police, responsible also for airport police, explained to the “20 Minuten” portal that if a stress toy is not made entirely of solid foam-like material but contains liquid or gel inside, it is considered a product subject to liquid transport restrictions.
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At Zurich airport, containers of liquids up to two liters are allowed in hand luggage, so regular-sized “Squishy” toys should not cause problems.
However, when traveling with a transfer, the situation may change – different airports have different rules.
For example, Geneva airport has different requirements for liquids due to the different screening equipment used.
“If a ‘Squishy’ toy contains liquid, gel, or a similar consistency substance inside, currently no more than 100 milliliters or 100 grams can be in one container,” airport representatives stated.
Additionally, all liquids must fit into one transparent bag with a capacity of no more than one liter.
Similar rules apply at the Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg EuroAirport. According to its representatives, “Squishy” toys filled with liquid are classified under the LAG category – liquids, aerosols, and gels – according to current regulations.
Therefore, they are subject to the same requirements as other liquids, gels, and pastes carried in hand luggage – individual containers cannot exceed 100 milliliters.
So before putting a child’s favorite “Squishy” or another gel-filled toy into hand luggage, it is worth checking the rules of the specific departure and transfer airports. They may differ, and what is allowed at one airport may be confiscated at another during security checks.
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