What is the ‘Hot Water Challenge’, how badly does boiling water burn you and is it in the UK?
The dangerous craze has caused serious injuries to several youngsters and is believed to have caused at least one death.
A SHOCKING new craze is spreading across social media encouraging youngsters to scald each other and themselves with burning water.
The breathtakingly dangerous Hot Water Challenge appears to have started two years ago but is now sparking urgent warnings following high-profile casualties.
What exactly is the Hot Water Challenge?
The Hot Water Challenge is an alarming new craze that has injured several young people and is suspected to be behind one death.
The trend has been spread via social media and involves participants filming themselves pouring scalding water over an unsuspecting person.
In another spin-off of the game, people are dared to drink the boiling liquid.
Parents of victims have warned other youngsters not to take part.
One 12-year-old girl has even been arrested after severely injuring a friend by playing the game.
How badly have people been hurt playing the Hot Water Challenge?
The foolish game appears to have been responsible for a number of children receiving severe burns and potentially the death of an eight-year-old girl.
Jamoneisha Merritt, suffered burns to her face chest, back and shoulders, when a friend poured boiling water over her as she slept at a sleepover.
The 11-year-old remains in hospital after suffering severe burns in the incident in New York.
The 12-year-old girl accused of pouring the water has been arrested on suspicion of assault.
The arrested girl is now believed to be on suicide watch in hospital having tried to kill herself.
Last month, an eight-year-old Florida girl was killed when she drank boiling water through a straw after being dared by her cousin to do so.
Ki’ari Pope and her cousin had apparently watched several videos on YouTube of people performing the so-called “hot water challenge” before the child severely burned her throat and died.
The girl's aunt Diane Johnson told local media: “Parents, talk to your kids about these challenges.
“Don’t just give them your phone and let them go by. Watch what they are doing.”
Has the craze reached the UK?
Videos on YouTube suggest the craze extends back to 2015 in America.
A number of clips show the dangerous act being carried out before ending with victims writhing and screaming in pain.
Most do not show the after effects but some do post follow-up footage of victims having suffered scarring.
The trend does not appear to have yet caught on in the UK but there are a small number of posts and videos referring to the Hot Water Challenge from British social media social media accounts.
What have health experts said and have warnings been put out about it?
The Burn Foundation have warned boiling water takes just seconds to cause third-degree burns - or full-thickness burn - which destroys all layers of the skin and can lead to permanent scarring.
It says: "Hot liquids can cause life-threatening burn injuries.
"When tap water reaches 60C - water boils at 100C - it can cause a third degree (full thickness) burn in just five seconds."
NHS advice recommends treating burns with lukewarm running water for 20 minutes and taking the person to hospital if the burns are bigger than the affected person's hand, cause white or charred skin or cause blisters.
