Joburg EMS seeks to educate learners about dangers of ‘chuffing’ trend

A dangerous new trend among young people known as "chuffing" has prompted Joburg emergency management service (EMS) to approach schools, offering to educate learners on the dangers of the practice.

Chuffing is the hazardous act of inhaling the contents of fire extinguishers.

Joburg EMS raised the alarm on the trend after video footage of school learners “chuffing” went viral on social media.

Spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi has warned that the carbon dioxide from extinguishers can cause serious health complications, including pneumonia, seizures and even death.

He’s urged parents to educate their children.

"We've got a Public Education Unit, which comes in very much handy to educate our residents about life and fire safety educational programmes. So, we are inviting our communities out there to invite our Public Education Unit so that our officials can come into our schools to educate school learners about life and fire safety educational programmes."