Ontarians are being warned not to participate in the TikTok penny challenge
Published January 23, 2020 at 10:50 pm
The Electrical Safety Authority is warning Ontarians not to partake in the latest social media challenge, dubbed the TikTok penny challenge.
The challenge involves partially plugging a phone charger into an outlet in a wall along with a penny, and filming it to upload to the video-sharing network.
The challenge poses a serious fire risk, as well as the risk for electrical damage.
“While no known injuries have been reported so far, the popularity of this challenge and the serious risk posed by the actions in these videos are very concerning,” Joel Moody, chief public safety officer for the Electrical Safety Authority, said in a news release.
“Electricity is unforgiving, and no family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one or their home because of a social media trend,” he continued.
According to the release, more than 100 kids under 15 are hospitalized for preventable electrical injuries every year.
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