TikTok’s ‘Outlet Challenge’ Is Causing Fires. Here’s Parents Need to Know.
Well, if you thought the stupidity would end with the TikTok Skullbreaker Challenge, think again…
A new challenge (or stupid idea) among teens has also been circulating and it’s being dubbed as the TikTok ‘Outlet Challenge’.
It is actually quite dangerous, is causing fires and firefighters are even getting involved to inform parents of the dangers.
The challenge involves kids partially inserting the plug of a phone charger into an outlet, then sliding a penny down between the outlet and the charger prongs, which in turn causes sparks, electrical system damage, and in some cases, fire.
Sounds scary, right? It’s because it is.
Even the Holden Fire Department took to Facebook to warn parents of this viral trend saying:
The Holden Fire Department would like to warn parents of a new viral teen video that may result in fire incidents and cause serious injury.
We would like parents to be aware of the new “challenge”.
The “challenge” seen on the popular video app, TikTok, involves using the plug part of a phone charger, partially inserting it into the wall outlet, and then sliding a penny down the wall onto the exposed prongs. The result is sparks, electrical system damage, and in some cases fire.
They even shared the image of what the damage looks like from this awful challenge.
Just a few weeks ago, there was a short circuit fire caused at a Penn Hills High School. Luckily, nobody was hurt and firefighters were able to stop the sparks from causing more damage.
So far, I haven’t seen any reports of death or electrical shock but it’s not to say, it won’t happen.
What can you do to keep your kids and home safe? Well, the Holden Fire Department has some tips for parents:
- Insert plugs fully into sockets
- If you have young children, install tamper-resistant electrical outlets
- Replace wall outlets if plugs do not fit tightly, or show signs of damage.
- Do not overload outlets
- Never force a three-pronged plug into a two slot outlet.
In addition to electrical fire safety, the department would like to remind parents and children to discuss the dangers of certain online “challenges” and recognizing the dangerous activity on the internet.
So, there you have it. Know that kids are actually doing these dumb challenges and sharing them TikTok.
Talk with your kids and express how dangerous these challenges are and that they should NEVER participate or initiate them.
I don’t know about you, but I really wonder where this all went wrong. When I was a teen, we never did stuff like this. Smh.
