Dangerous Social Media Alcohol Challenge Now Seen in Pittsfield

The Pittsfield Fire Department is warning local families about social media challenges that use isopropyl alcohol and open flames. These trends have already caused severe burns in kids around the country, and fire officials say they’re starting to show up closer to home, according to a release by the Pittsfield Fire Department.

What is the fire-breathing Social Media challenge?

The challenges usually look like this. Kids hold rubbing alcohol in their mouths and blow it toward a flame to make a “fire-breathing” effect. Others draw shapes with the alcohol on mirrors or tables and light them on fire. Some even pour it on their clothes or skin and try to light it, thinking it will burn off before it hurts them.

It doesn’t work that way. Isopropyl alcohol catches fire extremely easily. It turns into vapor fast, and those fumes can ignite even when you don’t expect it. A small stunt can quickly turn into a serious burn or a house fire. Injuries from these challenges can leave kids with bad scars, breathing problems, or worse.

Fire officials say younger kids are especially at risk. They often think they can control the fire because the videos look easy. They don’t realize how fast the vapors can spread and catch.

Here’s what parents can do:

Keep rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, and other strong solvents locked up or out of reach. Do the same with lighters and matches.

Pay attention to what your kids are watching online. Talk with them about these videos. Just because something shows up on their feed doesn’t mean it’s safe.

Explain that alcohol fires burn fast and can be hard to see. No fire trick is safe, even if it looks controlled on a screen.

Show kids the right way to use household cleaners and never use them near heat.
Make sure you have working smoke detectors and a simple plan for getting out of the house if there’s a fire.

The department says a little prevention now can stop a life-changing injury later. If you see kids trying these challenges or hear about them at school, let the fire department know.