EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WCBS 880) — Fire officials in Connecticut on Wednesday issued a warning after a child was severely burned while attempting a new TikTok challenge.
East Haven firefighters responded to a call around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday of someone who had been burned. When they arrived at the scene, they learned a child had been injured while attempting the “Whoosh Bottle Experiment.”
Fire Chief Matt Marcarelli and Fire Marshall Charles Miller explained the “experiment” involves igniting a bottle containing some alcohol in order to a create a “whoosh” sound.
The child. whose gender and age was not revealed, required hospitalization and is being treated at the Bridgeport Hospital Burn Center, according to fire officials.
“This could easily have led to a fatality as well as a major fire in the house,” said Chief Marcarelli. “Alcohol is a volatile flammable liquid and can act as an accelerant.”
Fire Marshall Miller investigated the incident. He noted that the department will be reaching out to East Haven Public Schools to ensure children are aware of the dangers of attempting the challenge.
“Take a few minutes to talk to your children about the dangers of playing with ignitable liquids and matches and monitor what they are watching,” Miller said. “This experiment, when done incorrectly, can cause severe burns that can permanently scar an individual.”
This is not the first time that a TikTok challenge has sparked worry in the Tri-State area.
Two weeks ago, officials in New York were on high alert monitoring posts on TikTok after a trend of people make false school shooting threats appeared on the app.
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