Kids are burning each other with boiling water in a deadly “Hot water challenge” YouTube trend
As seen in YouTube and Twitter videos, the “hot water challenge” involves surprising a friend by burning them with boiling water.
Another variation includes challenging someone to drink boiling hot water through a straw or pouring boiling water on themselves.
8-year-old Ki’ari Pope’s cousin dared her to sip boiling water through a straw back in March. She obliged and suffered burns in her mouth and throat, requiring a tracheotomy. In July, she complained that she couldn’t breathe and later died. (Palm Beach Post, GoFundMe)
In addition to Pope, the trend has left several kids with serious injuries.
Jamoneisha Merritt, 11, was at a sleepover Sunday night when her friends poured boiling water over her face as she slept. She suffered extreme injuries and may be left permanently disfigured.
North Carolina 10-year-old Wesley Smith also suffered severe burns after attempting the challenge with his stepbrother, the boy’s mother told WNCN.com, a CBS affiliate.
Parents have begun speaking out about the challenge. Read more (8/10/17)
If your school aged child is unaware of the dangers of boiling water and willingly burns themselves or others, _______ (fill in the blank with the first thing that came to mind.)
