State Fire Marshal Issues Public Service Advisory
WARWICK, R.I. – The Office of the State Fire Marshal is warning parents, caregivers, schools, and children about a dangerous social media “challenge” in which people set themselves on fire and then jump into water. The warning follows an incident that resulted in severe burns to an 18-year-old.
“Fire is not a joke and should only be handled by professionals. This type of social media content is dangerous, reckless and puts lives in danger,” said Rhode Island Fire Marshal Timothy P. McLaughlin.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal offers the following tips:
- Remove or report dangerous content found on social media
- Monitor and/or restrict social media access
- Never recreate social media stunts or “challenges”
- If you or someone you know has been injured, call 911 immediately
For resources about fire prevention, contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal or your local fire department.
