Millburn Warns About 'Outlet Challenge' (That Can't Be Good)

MILLBURN, NJ — Causing an electric shock with a penny is not the way to observe Lincoln's Birthday.

The town of Millburn posted late Friday afternoon that the Millburn Fire Department wants to warn parents about a dangerous viral "challenge" that targets kids via social media — particularly on the app TikTok. The stunt can result in fire and death, and recently caused a fire at a Virginia high school.

The "challenge" is called the Outlet Challenge or the Penny Challenge.

The kids are encouraged to record a video of themselves inserting a phone charger part into an outlet, then touching a coin to the prongs. But this can cause damage to electrical systems, a fire, and serious injuries, officials said.

Officials are telling parents to look for scorched outlets around their house and to "talk to your children to let them know the incredible dangers associated with this challenge."

Judging from news reports, officials began warning parents about this challenge in late January. On Thursday of this week, Virginia news outlets reported on a fire at a local high school that was attributed to a student trying the challenge. The student was arrested.

In Massachusetts this week, officials warned of specific injuries and hazards of the challenge, including burns to the face.

With the advent of social media, these challenges have gone viral over the years, including a "cinnamon challenge" that can prove fatal, as ingesting cinnamon can coat the passageways and impede breathing.