HOLDEN – The Holden Fire Department is warning parents of a viral video showing teenagers causing electrical fires with their phone chargers and a penny.
According to the Holden FD, the “challenge” — seen in the TikTok video below — 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.
As of Tuesday evening, the video in question had more than 3,000 views in the past five days.
State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said that there’s two incidents in the state they’re aware of that have caused damage due to the video — one being at a home in Holden and the other at Westford Academy. The students involved in the Westford Academy fire will face charges.
Ostroskey said, “This video is a concern and similar to past viral videos that encourage unsafe behavior.
Ostroskey encourages parents to reach out to parent associations, news outlets and other organizations to alert them to the challenge and “…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.”
Follow us on The016.com, the social network for Worcester and you!
