Jan. 08--In the last couple of days, the idea of throwing a pot of boiling water into the freezing air has taken off as an at-home experiment to see if it turns to ice crystals or snow before it hits the ground.
But the trials, which picked up momentum when people were stuck at home because of the snow, have been racking up a growing list of casualties. That has public health officials and bloggers cautioning the public against trying it out themselves.
Two children came to St. Louis Children's Hospital today with facial burns from throwing boiling water into the air, said hospital spokeswoman Abby Wuellner. Both of them were discharged later in the day.
"It's something that a lot of folks have been doing, but don't realize the hazards of it," she said. "It's not a good idea to be trying."
On Monday, a meteorologist in Wisconsin who showed what happened when he threw a cup of boiling water in below zero temperatures became an Internet sensation. It inspired a number of copycats, many of whom logged more painful results.
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