Cortland Fire & Codes Warn of Chromebook Social Media Trend

The City of Cortland Fire Department and Codes Office are warning parents of an ongoing social media trend involving Chromebooks known as the “Chromebook Trend” or the “Chromebook Challenge.” This trend encourages students to insert either lead or metal items such as paperclips, pushpins, aluminum foil and mechanical pencils into the USB port of a Chromebook. Doing so creates an electrical short circuit.

That electrical short circuit could result in the failure of the lithium-ion battery inside the Chromebook. The failure of the battery leads to the release of toxic gases and flammable vapor. Chromebooks are a common electronic device provided to students in school districts throughout the state, including within Cortland County. Already, the New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services say several incidents have been reported throughout the state.

“Tampering with the ports and mechanics of laptops is a serious fire hazard and completely unacceptable.” Said Deputy State Fire Admin Luci Labriola-Cuffe. “With a new trend sweeping across social media, it is crucial parents and guardians sit down with their children to talk about this danger and put an end to this once and for all.”

The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services says any suspicious activity involving tampering with battery powered electronic devices should be reported immediately.