Featured Image Credit: KENNEDY
Topics: Social Media, News, Health, Parenting
Mia Williams
A teenage boy died after participating in a 'chroming' craze, as parents are left heartbroken and warn about the dangers of the 'deadly' trend.
Nicky Lowther, 13, was found unconscious by his mum last year on 27 June.
The teenager died after taking part in an online trend, which his mum is now attempting to warn parents about.
Nicky's auntie, Toni, 35, described her nephew as a 'cheeky chappy', and also noted that his death was completely preventable.
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Describing Nicky, she said: "He had a dark sense of humour, he was really funny.
"We were close. We always did things as a family."
Speaking about the tragic trend, she added: "I'd never heard of chroming before. I heard afterwards about people doing it and dying or making it through the other side."
Toni urged the importance of kids understanding just how dangerous the online trend can be.
The action is also known as 'huffing', and has become increasingly popular with teenagers.
It involves inhaling fumes from legal substance like aerosols, nail polish and metallic paint to get high.
It can be done by inhaling the product directly, or from a plastic bag or rag soaked in the product.
It's extremely dangerous and potentially fatal, with risks of kidney, liver, heart and brain damage, along with mental health issues.
Nicky's body was found surrounded by 12 aerosol cans prior to his death.
Speaking about her own children, she said: "I would never think I would need to have a conversation with my daughter about how to use deodorant safely, other than putting it under your armpits."
Some teens are even filming themselves taking part in the trend, and sharing the videos on social media.
Toni added: "By the time we got to the hospital, Nicky had already passed away.
"We found out he'd been inhaling aerosols but I didn't know the severity of it.
"We don't know how many he inhaled that day, but I think 12 cans were found in his bedroom. No one knows if he'd used them that day.
"There's no safe way of inhaling aerosols, it's dangerous."
Currently, it's legal for anyone of any age to purchase aerosols, but Nicky's parents and family members are on a mission to change the law.
They have launched a petition to stop the sale of aerosols to children, and it already has 5,000 signatures.
She said: "Anyone can buy aerosols currently, which is insane. It's happening all the time. I felt like I needed to do something.
"Nicky couldn't be saved but hopefully his story can save other children from doing it."