Skip to content
NOWCAST NBC5 News at 6PM
Watch on Demand
Burlington, VT05401
77°
Sunny
Chance of precipitation 1%
MORE
1 / 1
Advertisement

Officials in New Hampshire, Vermont warn against TikTok trend Chromebook challenge

Officials in New Hampshire, Vermont warn against TikTok trend Chromebook challenge
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      they will be given another 90 days to file. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM OVER A NEW TIK-TOK TREND THATS CAUSING PROBLEMS AT SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THESE IS FOOTAGE FROM AN INCIDENT AT A SCHOOL IN CONNECTICUT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.. PARENTS AT THE COOPERATIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL IN STRATHAM RECEIVED AN EMAIL SAYING THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 15 CASES IN WHICH STUDENTS USED OBJECTS LIKE pencil LEAD... PAPER CLIPS... AND PUSH-PINS TO JAM THE ELECTRIC PORTS ON CHROMEBOOKS. THE GRANITE STATE FIRE MARSHAL SAYS THIS CAN HAVE SERIOUS HEALTH CONSEQUENCES, EVEN IF THERE ARE NO VISIBLE FLAMES. <"Any sort of lithium ion battery fire is going to release, it's danger, extremely dangerous. And it releases toxic gases, and it happens very quickly once that happens. And so from a safety perspective in the school, that's my biggest concern."> THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL SAYS IN SOME CASES THIS COULD RESULT IN CRIMINAL CHARGES. SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY ANY STUDENTS CAUGHT PARTICIPATING IN THE CHALLENGE...WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW CHROMEBOOK. THE BURLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID SOMETHING LIKE THIS áDID HAPPEN AT A QUEEN CITY SCHOOL RECENTLY. THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED A WARNING... SAYING THAT THE MISUSE OF CHROMEBOOKS CAN LEAD TO SUDDEN FIRES OR EXPLOSIONS. THEYRE ASKING PARENTS TO TALK ABOUT THE RISK OF PARTICIPATING IN THE CHALLENGE WITH THEIR KIDS...AND REMIND THEM THAT ITS NOT A JOKE AND A REAL SAFETY THREAT. THE LEBANON NH FIRE DEPARTMENT ARE CALLING THE BEHAVIOR UNLAWFUL AND HIGHLY UNSAFE... SAYING THAT THESE ACTIONS CAN SERIOUSLY HARM THE PERSON INVOLVED, THEIR PEERS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS. THEYRE ALSO URGI
      Advertisement
      Officials in New Hampshire, Vermont warn against TikTok trend Chromebook challenge
      Local fire departments are sounding the alarm over a new viral TikTok trend that is causing problems at schools across the country.In New Hampshire, parents at the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham received an email from the district saying that there have been at least 15 cases in which students used objects like pencil lead, paper clips or push pins to jam the electric ports on Chromebooks, which can start a fire and short-circuit the lithium-ion batteries inside.The New Hampshire state fire marshal's office says participating in the trend can have serious health consequences, even if there is no visible flame from the devices."Any sort of lithium ion battery fire is going to release, it's danger -- extremely dangerous," said New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey. "And it releases toxic gases, and it happens very quickly once that happens. And so, from a safety perspective in the school, that's my biggest concern."Toomey said that, in some cases, the destruction of Chromebooks could result in criminal charges. School officials said any students caught participating in the challenge will have to pay for a new Chromebook.In New Jersey, a 15-year-old student has been charged with arson after participating in the challenge, according to NBC News.The Burlington fire marshal confirmed that a similar incident happened at a school in the district recently. The department has since issued a warning, saying that the misuse of Chromebooks can lead to sudden fires or explosions. They are asking parents to talk to their kids about the risk of participating in the challenge and remind them that there is a real safety threat.The Lebanon, New Hampshire, Fire Department is calling the behavior unlawful and highly unsafe. They said these actions can seriously hurt students, their peers and first responders. They are also urging families and schools to talk with students about the real-life consequences of the challenge.

      Local fire departments are sounding the alarm over a new viral TikTok trend that is causing problems at schools across the country.

      In New Hampshire, parents at the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham received an email from the district saying that there have been at least 15 cases in which students used objects like pencil lead, paper clips or push pins to jam the electric ports on Chromebooks, which can start a fire and short-circuit the lithium-ion batteries inside.

      Advertisement

      The New Hampshire state fire marshal's office says participating in the trend can have serious health consequences, even if there is no visible flame from the devices.

      "Any sort of lithium ion battery fire is going to release, it's danger -- extremely dangerous," said New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey. "And it releases toxic gases, and it happens very quickly once that happens. And so, from a safety perspective in the school, that's my biggest concern."

      Toomey said that, in some cases, the destruction of Chromebooks could result in criminal charges. School officials said any students caught participating in the challenge will have to pay for a new Chromebook.

      In New Jersey, a 15-year-old student has been charged with arson after participating in the challenge, according to NBC News.

      The Burlington fire marshal confirmed that a similar incident happened at a school in the district recently. The department has since issued a warning, saying that the misuse of Chromebooks can lead to sudden fires or explosions. They are asking parents to talk to their kids about the risk of participating in the challenge and remind them that there is a real safety threat.

      The Lebanon, New Hampshire, Fire Department is calling the behavior unlawful and highly unsafe. They said these actions can seriously hurt students, their peers and first responders. They are also urging families and schools to talk with students about the real-life consequences of the challenge.