The viral video showing pupils inhaling fire extinguisher contents.
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AUTHORITIES have issued a grave warning to parents and schools following a viral video showing pupils inhaling fire extinguisher contents, a dangerous trend that poses severe health risks and could be deadly.
The widely circulated video shows two male pupils taking turns inhaling the chemical contents of a portable fire extinguisher.
Authorities said the act, referred to as “Chuff,” involved inhaling chemical powder or gas from extinguishers, a practice that poses severe health risks.
The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) expressed deep concern about the incident, warning that the contents of fire extinguishers are highly hazardous when inhaled.
“We are concerned about the video circulating on our social media platforms where young school learners are seen inhaling or smoking something which is coming out of a portable fire extinguisher.
“We want to warn them that smoking or inhaling the contents of a fire extinguisher is extremely dangerous. It can cause some serious health issues like respiratory distress. It can cause seizures and also potentially it can also cause death.”
Authorities explained that fire extinguishers typically contain dry chemical agents or carbon dioxide, which are designed strictly for firefighting purposes, not for human inhalation.
“Your fire extinguisher is a fire safety device which is not designed for human consumption or inhalation. So it can cause serious respiratory distress. We are pleading with our school learners to refrain from smoking or deliberately inhaling contents of a fire extinguisher.”
Emergency services have also called on parents to take an active role in addressing the issue.
“We are also pleading with parents out there to ensure that they educate young people to refrain from inhaling contents of a fire extinguisher,” the statement continued.
EMS noted that its public education unit is available to assist schools and communities with life and fire safety programmes, urging institutions to make use of these resources.
Meanwhile, the Department of Basic Education has condemned the behaviour, describing it as both dangerous and unacceptable within school environments.
Spokesperson Terence Khala said, "the department had noted with serious concern the circulation of videos showing pupils engaging in dangerous behaviour involving the inhalation of chemical fumes through improvised devices.
“The department wishes to condemn this conduct and warns that inhaling chemical substances in this manner poses serious and potentially fatal health risks, including brain damage, respiratory failure, and sudden death,” Khala said.
He stressed that such behaviour undermines the safety of schools.
“Schools are meant to be safe environments dedicated to learning and the development of our children. Any activity that endangers the lives and well-being of learners undermines this responsibility and will not be tolerated.”
The department has urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant, monitor behavioural changes, and engage children in discussions about the dangers of substance abuse and harmful online trends.
It also called on schools to tighten safety measures, including conducting random inspections, monitoring items brought onto school premises, and strengthening education around substance abuse and peer pressure.
“Ensuring educators and school management teams intervene swiftly when dangerous behaviour is detected” is critical, Khala added, along with collaboration between schools, parents, and local authorities.
Authorities warned that inhaling fire extinguisher contents could lead to severe medical complications such as pneumonia, seizures, respiratory failure, and in extreme cases, death.