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TikTok challenges aren't always harmless.
A 12-year-old girl from Georgia in the US has landed in hospital for setting herself alight after the fire challenge she performed went horribly wrong.
The challenge involves pouring flammable liquid on your body before igniting it.
Kenzie Luckey suffered severe burns all over her body when the alcohol bottle she was using for the experiment unexpectedly exploded.
Her sister, Rhema Napper, rushed to her aid when she heard Kenzie crying out in pain.
"It was really bad," Rhema says.
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“I heard a scream and it was like bloodcurdling. I ran to her, wrapped my legs around her and started rubbing my face on her and I got all the flames off,” she recalls.
Kenzie’s mother, Sheikinah Napper, says she's being treated in hospital for third-degree burns on her face, arms and torso and is in a great deal of pain.
“I had never heard of the fire challenge before this incident and I wish I was more aware,” her mom says.
Kenzie is not the first TikTok user to be injured while performing viral video challenges.
In May 2021, Destini Crane tried the fire challenge in her bathroom but set herself on fire instead. The 13-year-old was admitted to hospital with serious burns on her neck and arms.
In a separate incident, Nick Howell (12) spent almost six months in and out of hospital undergoing 50 surgeries after his attempt at the challenge also went awry.
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Dr Sally Hynes, head of the burns programme at BC Children’s Hospital in Canada, says she finds the trend very concerning.
“What we have noticed is that the severity of these cases has increased. We are aware of children playing with fire and trying social media trends of fire challenges on platforms such as TikTok.
"I cannot stress strongly enough that trying these challenges on a single occasion can result in devastating life altering consequences. They can result in severe burns, loss of limbs and in some cases loss of life,” she says.
She urges parents to not let their kids be influenced by viral videos.
“People use them to impress their peers. I want to emphasise to parents and caregivers the importance of sitting down and talking to your kids about these challenges. Even though they seem silly, there are families that are living their worst nightmare as a result of these challenges.”
Sources: TMZ, People, Parade, Today, Bloomberg.com, Global News
