A **14-year-old boy** in **St. Petersburg, Florida** has been **hospitalized** with **life-changing injuries** after attempting a viral TikTok experiment known as the **“Jam Jar Pulse Jet”**. The incident, which occurred earlier today, highlights the urgent dangers associated with popular social media challenges.
The local fire department reports that the boy set himself ablaze while trying to replicate the experiment, resulting in severe burns to his legs. The experiment involves lighting a small amount of rubbing alcohol in a jam jar, creating a pulsating flame that resembles a miniature jet engine. However, authorities warn that the risks are immense, as the flaming jars can **explode**, sending fiery liquid and glass shards flying.
“The fire risk is real,” cautioned **Ian Womack**, division chief at **St. Petersburg Fire Rescue**. He stressed the potential for devastating injuries, including permanent vision damage and severe scarring. Womack’s urgent message follows the boy’s tragic accident:
“Heaven forbid it causes a laceration or something that causes life-threatening bleeding.”
Local authorities are calling on parents to engage in conversations with their children about the hazards of fire and alcohol. “Just engage with kids and then also find opportunities to highlight the risk,” Womack advised. He emphasized the necessity of understanding the real consequences associated with such experiments.
The St. Petersburg Fire Department’s plea comes amidst a troubling trend of dangerous challenges circulating on TikTok. Previous incidents have included children suffering burns from boiling water and ingesting concentrated sodas, prompting multiple health warnings.
This alarming event serves as a stark reminder for families to monitor social media activities and discuss the potential dangers of viral trends. With the rapid spread of such challenges, the risk of serious injury continues to escalate.
As authorities investigate the incident, both the **St. Petersburg Fire Rescue** and **TikTok** have been contacted for further comments. Parents are urged to stay vigilant and educate their children about the perils of experimenting with fire and flammable substances.
Immediate action is crucial to prevent further tragedies as social media trends continue to evolve. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.