Latest news with #NationalFireProtectionAssociation
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Grilling for Memorial Day? Here's how to avoid a fire
(WKBN) – It's Memorial Day weekend and state fire officials want Ohioans to stay safe during the holiday. Many families will be grilling, but it can be dangerous if not done safely. You should keep your grill at least three feet away from your home or anything flammable. Check your grill for damage before using it. Never leave a grill unattended, and keep kids and pets away. Always be prepared and have a fire extinguisher or water source nearby in case of flare-ups. 'If you can, absolutely, you want to have a hose nearby or some kind of a water source nearby is always a good idea. They do make smaller fire extinguishers that you can keep on standby just for that reason,' said Paul Martin, fire prevention assistant chief. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that gas grills cause over 9,200 home fires each year. Fire safety is also important for those camping and having a bonfire. 'You want to make sure that you have a good zone around that campfire where there's no burnable materials. So you want to clear out a good path at least three feet around the campfire,' Martin said. 'You also want to make sure that you're at least 15 feet away from any structures.' He says those having a bonfire should use pre-made fire rings to keep the fire contained and prevent it from spreading. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Four helpful fire prevention tips to avoid burning down your house this summer
Cleaning a few key areas in your home can help prevent fires, according to the Ohio State Fire Marshal. To help reduce the risks of summer fires, Ohioans can take time to remove clutter and debris from inside and outside their homes and properly maintain common fire-causing appliances, the state agency said in a news release. 'Keeping fire prevention and safety in mind during your spring-cleaning routine can go a long way in keeping your home and loved ones safe,' State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said in the release. 'By adding some simple items to your to-do list, such as reducing clutter, clearing debris, and properly maintaining appliances, you can help prevent fires from occurring in and around your home.' Clothes dryers are a major cause of fires in the U.S. According to the National Fire Protection Association, about 13,820 fires start this way each year. To prevent these fires, homeowners should ensure their dryer's exhaust pipe provides a clear path outside, the State Fire Marshal said. They should also ensure the vent flap opens properly when running the dryer. Don't store flammable items like boxes and cleaning supplies near the dryer. Clothes wet with flammable substances like gasoline should be dried outside before washing and drying in your machines. Excessive items and clutter can block exits and worsen fires, posing risks to residents and first responders alike, the State Fire Marshal said. People should assess their homes and those of their family members to ensure clutter isn't restricting their movement through the home. Hallways and doorways, especially those that lead outside, should be clear and easy to access. Items should be kept at least three feet from all heat sources, including water heaters and furnaces. About 3-5% of the population suffers from compulsive hoarding, a psychological condition in which people suffer from strong urges to keep items or distress when discarding them, potentially putting themselves and others at risk in case of a fire, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The U.S. Fire Administration has tips for speaking to loved ones about compulsive hoarding for friends and family. If embers from a bonfire, grill or other source ignite flammable materials like leaves and pine needles near a home, the home could catch fire, the State Fire Marshal said. Therefore, residents should clear them from roofs, gutters and under decks. Residents should also remove dead vegetation within five feet of their homes and dispose of branches, leaves and grass clippings appropriately. Construction materials, trash and woodpiles should be stored at least 30 feet from a residence. People should regularly inspect their grills to make sure they are free of grease and fat buildups, which could ignite, the State Fire Marshal said. People should also clean out any nests, spiderwebs and other debris from inside the grill. Before grilling with propane and natural gas, people should check the gas hose for leaks. Gasoline should only be used as motor fuel, and equipment like lawn mowers, and it should be stored in an approved container for storing gasoline, according to the news release. Storage containers should have a tight cap so they don't spill when they aren't in use. Public Safety Reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@ This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State fire Marshal: Avoid house fires with these 4 safety tips
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
What is the Chromebook Challenge? The trend that has students destroying school laptops
A new social media challenge encourages students to not hop on the latest dance trend or pour buckets of ice over their heads, but intentionally destroy school property. The "Chromebook Challenge," which began on TikTok in early May, encourages students to stick small items like paperclips or pencils inside of their school-assigned Google Chromebooks' USB ports, all in hope for a small cloud of smoke or better yet, a spark, to ignite. The challenge gained nationwide attention after a 15-year-old high school student in Belleville, New Jersey was arrested and charged with third-degree arson and criminal mischief for intentionally manipulating his Chromebook as part of the challenge on May 8, a Belleville Police Department news release states. The laptop, which was left outside of a classroom while students and staff evacuated the school, emitted smoke and was charred when police and firefighters arrived. As schools across the country warn students and parents about this new trend, here's what to know about the Chromebook Challenge, including how schools and TikTok itself, are handling the fallout. The Chromebook Challenge encourages students with school-assigned Google Chromebooks to shove small items, like paperclips or graphite pencils, into the laptop's USB ports, which can result in smoke, fire or even an explosion. More TikTok news: Alabama sues TikTok: State AG accuses app of fueling youth mental health crisis Yes, the Chromebook Challenge is dangerous. Placing items like paperclips inside a Chromebook's USB port can cause the laptop to short-circuit, generating heat, sparks, and smoke. For example, by placing a paperclip into a laptop's USB port, the paperclip becomes a pathway for electricity to travel outside of its intended circuit path, the National Fire Protection Association states. This can lead to a short circuit, which could result in the generation of excess heat. Laptops contain lithium-ion batteries. When these batteries are heated too much, it can lead to toxic gas generation, fire and even explosions, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Even if noticeable damage doesn't occur after placing something like a paperclip into a Chromebook's USB port, there is an increased risk of malfunction. The malfunction can be minimal, like the USB port no longer working, or result in something more serious, like toxic gas generation, the National Fire Protection Association states. School districts across the country are sending letters to parents and using social media to educate about the Chromebook Challenge, in addition to the repercussions students may face if they participate. Most districts outline that students will be held financially responsible for a full replacement cost of a new laptop, which hovers around $300. Two senior high school students at the San Diego Unified School District encouraged their peers in a blog post to avoid participating in the challenge. "Truthfully, it's just dumb. These computers are lent to us so we can better learn. It's wasteful, dangerous and everyone loses," Scripps Ranch High School senior Quinton Baldis said in the blog post. "I'm highly advising my classmates to not join in on this careless trend. We're better than this." New Hampshire's Cooperative Middle School Principal Drew Bairstow shared in a letter to parents that over the course of three days, at least 15 incidents of students intentionally damaging their Chromebooks had been reported. On May 9, Jackson County Public Schools in North Carolina shared a photo of a burned Chromebook on social media. As of May 19, the school district confirmed four cases of Chromebooks that fell victim to the challenge, Jackson County Public Schools Public Information Officer Shaneka Allen told USA TODAY. "This behavior is not only extremely dangerous but also a direct violation of school policy and is considered vandalism," the school district shared in a social media statement. "We are asking all families to have a serious conversation with their students about the significant dangers and consequences of participating in this trend." As of May 20, TikTok did not generate any content from the search, "Chromebook Challenge." "Some online challenges can be dangerous, disturbing or even fabricated," a pop-up on the platform reads. "Learn how to recognize harmful challenges so you can protect your health and well-being." TikTok then directs users to resources for determining if an online challenge is safe to participate in and how to report one that isn't. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Students destroy laptops in new TikTok trend Chromebook Challenge
Indianapolis Star
20-05-2025
- Indianapolis Star
What is the Chromebook Challenge? The trend that has students destroying school laptops
A new social media challenge encourages students to not hop on the latest dance trend or pour buckets of ice over their heads, but intentionally destroy school property. The "Chromebook Challenge," which began on TikTok in early May, encourages students to stick small items like paperclips or pencils inside of their school-assigned Google Chromebooks' USB ports, all in hope for a small cloud of smoke or better yet, a spark, to ignite. The challenge gained nationwide attention after a 15-year-old high school student in Belleville, New Jersey was arrested and charged with third-degree arson and criminal mischief for intentionally manipulating his Chromebook as part of the challenge on May 8, a Belleville Police Department news release states. The laptop, which was left outside of a classroom while students and staff evacuated the school, emitted smoke and was charred when police and firefighters arrived. As schools across the country warn students and parents about this new trend, here's what to know about the Chromebook Challenge, including how schools and TikTok itself, are handling the fallout. The Chromebook Challenge encourages students with school-assigned Google Chromebooks to shove small items, like paperclips or graphite pencils, into the laptop's USB ports, which can result in smoke, fire or even an explosion. More TikTok news: Alabama sues TikTok: State AG accuses app of fueling youth mental health crisis Yes, the Chromebook Challenge is dangerous. Placing items like paperclips inside a Chromebook's USB port can cause the laptop to short-circuit, generating heat, sparks, and smoke. For example, by placing a paperclip into a laptop's USB port, the paperclip becomes a pathway for electricity to travel outside of its intended circuit path, the National Fire Protection Association states. This can lead to a short circuit, which could result in the generation of excess heat. Laptops contain lithium-ion batteries. When these batteries are heated too much, it can lead to toxic gas generation, fire and even explosions, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Even if noticeable damage doesn't occur after placing something like a paperclip into a Chromebook's USB port, there is an increased risk of malfunction. The malfunction can be minimal, like the USB port no longer working, or result in something more serious, like toxic gas generation, the National Fire Protection Association states. School districts across the country are sending letters to parents and using social media to educate about the Chromebook Challenge, in addition to the repercussions students may face if they participate. Most districts outline that students will be held financially responsible for a full replacement cost of a new laptop, which hovers around $300. Two senior high school students at the San Diego Unified School District encouraged their peers in a blog post to avoid participating in the challenge. "Truthfully, it's just dumb. These computers are lent to us so we can better learn. It's wasteful, dangerous and everyone loses," Scripps Ranch High School senior Quinton Baldis said in the blog post. "I'm highly advising my classmates to not join in on this careless trend. We're better than this." New Hampshire's Cooperative Middle School Principal Drew Bairstow shared in a letter to parents that over the course of three days, at least 15 incidents of students intentionally damaging their Chromebooks had been reported. On May 9, Jackson County Public Schools in North Carolina shared a photo of a burned Chromebook on social media. As of May 19, the school district confirmed four cases of Chromebooks that fell victim to the challenge, Jackson County Public Schools Public Information Officer Shaneka Allen told USA TODAY. "This behavior is not only extremely dangerous but also a direct violation of school policy and is considered vandalism," the school district shared in a social media statement. "We are asking all families to have a serious conversation with their students about the significant dangers and consequences of participating in this trend." As of May 20, TikTok did not generate any content from the search, "Chromebook Challenge." "Some online challenges can be dangerous, disturbing or even fabricated," a pop-up on the platform reads. "Learn how to recognize harmful challenges so you can protect your health and well-being." TikTok then directs users to resources for determining if an online challenge is safe to participate in and how to report one that isn't.
USA Today
20-05-2025
- USA Today
What is the Chromebook Challenge? The trend that has students destroying school laptops
What is the Chromebook Challenge? The trend that has students destroying school laptops Show Caption Hide Caption Chromebook challenge prompts concern among schools Schools are taking precaution amid the dangerous 'Chromebook Challenge' circulating on social media where kids are destroying the laptops. Fox - Fox 29 The Chromebook Challenge gained traction on TikTok in May. The trend encourages students to stick small items into school-assigned Google Chromebook USB ports. A New Jersey high school student has been arrested and charged with third-degree arson and criminal mischief for participating in the challenge at school. The Chromebook Challenge is dangerous because placing items into a laptop's USB port can cause the device to short circuit, resulting in excess heat, smoke or even fire. A new social media challenge encourages students to not hop on the latest dance trend or pour buckets of ice over their heads, but intentionally destroy school property. The "Chromebook Challenge," which began on TikTok in early May, encourages students to stick small items like paperclips or pencils inside of their school-assigned Google Chromebooks' USB ports, all in hope for a small cloud of smoke or better yet, a spark, to ignite. The challenge gained nationwide attention after a 15-year-old high school student in Belleville, New Jersey was arrested and charged with third-degree arson and criminal mischief for intentionally manipulating his Chromebook as part of the challenge on May 8, a Belleville Police Department news release states. The laptop, which was left outside of a classroom while students and staff evacuated the school, emitted smoke and was charred when police and firefighters arrived. As schools across the country warn students and parents about this new trend, here's what to know about the Chromebook Challenge, including how schools and TikTok itself, are handling the fallout. What is the Chromebook Challenge? The Chromebook Challenge encourages students with school-assigned Google Chromebooks to shove small items, like paperclips or graphite pencils, into the laptop's USB ports, which can result in smoke, fire or even an explosion. More TikTok news: Alabama sues TikTok: State AG accuses app of fueling youth mental health crisis Is the Chromebook Challenge dangerous? Yes, the Chromebook Challenge is dangerous. Placing items like paperclips inside a Chromebook's USB port can cause the laptop to short-circuit, generating heat, sparks, and smoke. For example, by placing a paperclip into a laptop's USB port, the paperclip becomes a pathway for electricity to travel outside of its intended circuit path, the National Fire Protection Association states. This can lead to a short circuit, which could result in the generation of excess heat. Laptops contain lithium-ion batteries. When these batteries are heated too much, it can lead to toxic gas generation, fire and even explosions, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Even if noticeable damage doesn't occur after placing something like a paperclip into a Chromebook's USB port, there is an increased risk of malfunction. The malfunction can be minimal, like the USB port no longer working, or result in something more serious, like toxic gas generation, the National Fire Protection Association states. How are schools responding to the Chromebook Challenge? School districts across the country are sending letters to parents and using social media to educate about the Chromebook Challenge, in addition to the repercussions students may face if they participate. Most districts outline that students will be held financially responsible for a full replacement cost of a new laptop, which hovers around $300. Two senior high school students at the San Diego Unified School District encouraged their peers in a blog post to avoid participating in the challenge. "Truthfully, it's just dumb. These computers are lent to us so we can better learn. It's wasteful, dangerous and everyone loses," Scripps Ranch High School senior Quinton Baldis said in the blog post. "I'm highly advising my classmates to not join in on this careless trend. We're better than this." New Hampshire's Cooperative Middle School Principal Drew Bairstow shared in a letter to parents that over the course of three days, at least 15 incidents of students intentionally damaging their Chromebooks had been reported. On May 9, Jackson County Public Schools in North Carolina shared a photo of a burned Chromebook on social media. As of May 19, the school district confirmed four cases of Chromebooks that fell victim to the challenge, Jackson County Public Schools Public Information Officer Shaneka Allen told USA TODAY. "This behavior is not only extremely dangerous but also a direct violation of school policy and is considered vandalism," the school district shared in a social media statement. "We are asking all families to have a serious conversation with their students about the significant dangers and consequences of participating in this trend." How is TikTok responding to the Chromebook Challenge? As of May 20, TikTok did not generate any content from the search, "Chromebook Challenge." "Some online challenges can be dangerous, disturbing or even fabricated," a pop-up on the platform reads. "Learn how to recognize harmful challenges so you can protect your health and well-being." TikTok then directs users to resources for determining if an online challenge is safe to participate in and how to report one that isn't. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
