Warning over viral TikTok trend where teens start fires using iPhone chargers and coins
TIKTOK users are being warned not to take part in a worrying trend that’s seen teens using coins and plugged in iPhone chargers to create sparks from sockets.
Videos on the app have shown how people slide a coin towards the exposed prongs of an inserted iPhone charger, which fire experts have told us is “stupid and extremely dangerous”.
The trend has already been blamed for fires in the US.
Inserting a coin next to the prongs of a plug that’s partially in its socket can cause sparks, electrical damage and even fires.
According to State Fire Marshal Peter J Ostroskey, two fires have been started by people attempting this trend in their homes in Massachusetts in the US.
He said: “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, and one at a Westford High School, which the Department of Fire Services investigated.”
He added: “The student(s) responsible for starting the fire at the Westford Academy will face charges.”
Not all plug sockets around the world would react the same to such behaviour but putting any metal object near a socket is dangerous.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade told us: “It is really stupid and extremely dangerous to put any metal objects in or near to electrical sockets as it could lead to severe burns or a serious fire.
“There is apparently no limit to the lengths some people will go to in order to be TikTok famous.
“What concerns us is that these crazes sometimes spread across the Atlantic so I’d encourage parents over here to talk to their children about the dangers of fire in the home.”
Plymouth Fire Chief Edward Bradley, based in Massachusetts, said: “It’s almost like an explosion. The electricity propels the charger and the coin — the coin is molten metal at this point — outwards.
“It can easily get you in the face, get you in the eye, it could cause blindness and it can cause your clothing to catch fire.
“It does not take much to be electrocuted fatally.”
The fire fighters have stressed that participating in viral trends like this is never worth it as it can have serious repercussions.
What is TikTok?
Here's the official description from the NSPCC's Net Aware...
- TikTok is a social media app where users can record and upload short video clips. In August 2018, TikTok merged with Musical.ly, meaning all users with Musical.ly accounts were moved to TikTok. We’ve pulled together some information about the app and how to keep your children safe while using it.
- The majority of clips in TikTok include young people lip syncing and dancing to songs or comedy sketches (skits). Users can watch clips posted by other members, and can set their videos to be viewed publicly to other users or privately to friends (also known as followers).
- Like Snapchat, TikTok has filters where users can record their videos. It also includes other additional video editing features such as slow motion or speeding up videos. What makes this app popular with young people is the collaborative element where TikTok users can reply to one another and do joint videos on a split screen or participate in user created challenges.
- TikTok users can send messages to each other within the app; privacy settings for this can be changed to allow a user to communicate with all other TikTok users or just to friends. TikTok has a similar social media element like Instagram and Twitter, where users can follow each other and like content.
- If your child is using TikTok, we recommend speaking to them about how they can use this app safely.
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