> At a Glance
> – A 12-year-old girl from Chicago’s south suburbs suffered second-degree burns across half her face and severe hand injuries
> – The injury happened while she copied a social-media “fire challenge” that douses hands in alcohol-based sanitizer and ignites them
> – Flames leapt to the bottle, causing an explosion that also set part of the family kitchen ablaze
> – Why it matters: Doctors and the girl’s mother, Denisha, warn parents that even platforms rated “13+” can expose kids to life-threatening trends
A weekend stunt shared widely on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat has put one pre-teen in a Chicago hospital burn unit and her mother on a public-safety mission.
How the Challenge Unfolded
Denisha told FOX32 her daughter poured hand sanitizer over her palms, flicked a match and tried to douse the flames before they spread. Instead, the puddle of alcohol around the bottle ignited, turning the container into a makeshift bomb.
The fireball:
- Burned 45-50% of the child’s face
- Melted skin on both hands
- Triggered kitchen-cabinet fires that relatives helped extinguish
Emergency Response
Paramedics rushed the girl to UChicago Medicine Engels, where staff debrided the damaged tissue before applying antibiotic creams. Doctors classified the wounds as second-degree, meaning blistering and possible scarring are likely.
Former University of Illinois emergency-services director Christopher Colbert explained:
> “You could have a rush of flame, a spread of flame, that is not intended, that can extend to the face and to the eyes.”
| Injury Area | Severity | Estimated Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Face | 2nd-degree | Weeks to months with risk of scarring |
| Hands | Severe | Physical therapy likely required |
Key Takeaways
- Children as young as 13 can open accounts on major apps, but developmental experts say many lack the impulse control to judge risk
- Alcohol-based sanitizers (60%+ ethanol) burn almost invisible blue flames that users underestimate
- Experts urge parents to discuss specific online challenges before kids see them
Denisha hopes her story spurs dinner-table talks: “I want them to sit down with their kids to let them know that they don’t have to partake in everything they see on social media.”
