Kerala Shocker: Social media 'hair-straightening act' goes wrong, 12-year-old boy dies

YouTube is replete with 'tips and tricks tutorial videos' that try to teach people various acts. But many times unprofessional advice can do a lot of harm as no attempt is made to warn viewers of possible dangers and risks.

A 12-year-boy fell victim to a hair-straightening act using kerosene oil and a lit matchstick.

The boy was trying to imitate a YouTube video in Thiruvananthapuram.
According to police, the act went wrong and the boy died of burns that he sustained during the act.

Playing with fire
The boy was a seventh standard school student and not aware of the dangers involved in the act. He applied kerosene oil to his hair and tried to straighten it with a lit matchstick, say reports quoting police officers.
The boy was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries later.

Boy kept it a secret

The boy tried the act in the bathroom and only his grandmother was at home.

Viral videos pose a danger

Videos of people straightening hair using spirit and fire had gone viral on social media. Such videos are dangers and the spirit catches fire immediately. The people filming these acts take precautions and perform these acts after a lot of practice. But when children try to imitate these acts, they are playing with fire and posing danger to their lives.