(WAND) - It seems every month or so there is a new internet "challenge" teenagers are posting online about, but this one could cause serious fire damage and injuries.
It is called the "Outlet Challenge." It has gained attention on the TikTok app. It encourages teens to partially insert the plug part of a phone charger into a wall outlet and then slide a penny down the wall to make contact with the two exposed prongs.
When the coin comes in contact with the prongs, there is a violent, almost explosion like reaction. The result can be sparks, electrical system damage, and even fire.
Parents are encouraged to have a conversation with children and teenagers about the challenge and make sure they understand the dangers of it.
The Charleston Fire Department put out a warning after a Massachusetts fire station reported two incidents of this happening in a school classroom. Scorched outlets were found in the classrooms.
and fire. It involves using the plug part of a phone charger, partially inserting it into the wall
outlet, and the sliding a penny down the wall onto the exposed
prongs. The result is sparks, electrical system damage, and in
some cases fire.
We have had two incidents in Massachusetts that we are aware of:
one in Holden where a concerned mother sent a photo of a
scorched outlet to a news outlet (see photo), and one at a
Westford High School, which the Department of Fire Services
investigated. The student(s) responsible for starting the fire at the
Westford Academy will face charges.
This video is a concern and similar to past viral videos that
encourage unsafe behavior. You might reach out to local news
outlets, school officials, and parent organizations. Alert them to
this challenge, advise them to, not only look for signs of fire play
like scorched outlets, but to have conversations about fire and
electrical safety with tweens and teenagers. S.A.F.E. educators
might reach out to their school partners because teaching why this
is dangerous could be a good science lesson.
