One of the latest social media trends showing up on Facebook timelines is essentially the opposite of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
It’s the “fire challenge,” and no, it’s not for a good cause. Rather, it could lead to third-degree burns.
The Oakland County Health Division distributed a notice Tuesday warning parents and their kids to not take the fire challenge, which consists of people dousing themselves in accelerant (such as lighter fluid), igniting it and attempting to put the fire out – all on video, of course. They then challenge their friends to self-immolate as well.
The county’s health division released a list of dangers of the fire challenge. They include:
* Having items such as clothing being melted to skin,
* Not being able to put the fire out quickly enough,
* Second- and third-degree degree burns causing hospitalization.
* Deaths have been reported as a result of taking this challenge,
* Lighting surroundings on fire.
The health division recommends parents become aware of the warning signs of this activity and educate children about the potential dangers of setting one’s self on fire. Parents should also monitor social media – Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, for example – to get ahead of and flag the latest harmful trends and put a stop to it in their children.
The health division stated that parents should keep in mind that people under the age of 25 are still developing, meaning rewards and risks are not processed the same way as in fully developed adults.
For more information on the Fire Challenge visit http://www.nfpa.org/firechallenge or http://www.traumaburn.org/prevention/seanstory/misuse/help.shtml.
