Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the State Education Department have become aware of a dangerous social media trend known as the “Chromebook Trend” or “Chromebook Challenge” that encourages students to insert lead or metal items like paperclips, pushpins, aluminum foil and mechanical pencils into the USB port of their Chromebook forcing an electrical short circuit. This recent trend is from a incident in nearby Dutchess County.

This action can result in the failure of the lithium-ion battery in the device, posing a serious fire risk and the production of large quantities of toxic and flammable vapor.

This issue should be taken seriously. Please go over this with your children or teens.