October 20, 2026
COVINGTON, La. The City of Covington Fire Department is urging parents to talk with their children about dangerous social media fire challenges, sharing a warning that cites a 9 year old New Orleans child who suffered burns covering 70 percent of his body.
The department’s October 20 warning brings the concern to St. Tammany families. The child cited in the notice was in New Orleans; the notice does not provide an exact incident date or identify the child.
The warning concerns online dares involving people deliberately setting themselves on fire. Covington firefighters are asking parents to monitor social media use, discuss the risks and make clear that fire related stunts are not acceptable activities.
The danger extends beyond a painful injury. Burns can leave permanent skin damage and scars, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. A video that ends after a few seconds does not show what recovery may involve.
Start the conversation before there is an emergency
Parents do not have to wait until they catch a child attempting something dangerous to address it. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends asking what challenges children are seeing online or hearing about from friends, then discussing the possible consequences without judgment.
That conversation matters because attention and approval from friends can make risky behavior seem rewarding. Staying involved in a child’s digital life and setting clear limits can help parents address that pressure rather than simply telling children to stay off their phones.
Practical precautions matter, too. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends keeping matches and lighters high in a locked cabinet where children cannot reach them, and teaching children to tell an adult when they find those items.
What to do if a child is burned
Call 911 for extensive serious burns, trouble breathing after exposure to fire or smoke, or another life threatening emergency. Do not delay emergency help to attempt home treatment.
Pediatric guidance recommends cooling a burn with cool water. Do not apply ice, butter or grease, and do not pull clothing away if it is stuck to burned skin. Burns involving the hands, mouth or genitals need immediate medical attention.
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