An 11-year-old boy in the UK has tragically died after taking part in a dangerous social media trend known as ‘chroming’, in which people inhale toxic fumes from aerosol sprays to get a short-lived high.
Freddie Davis was described by his family as an outgoing child who loved sports and learning. Despite warnings from his mother, Roseanne Thompson, Freddie was found lifeless in his bedroom in January 2025.
A coroner’s inquest ruled that the cause of death was inhalation of a butane aerosol propellant. Forensic tests confirmed the presence of propane, butane, and isobutane in his tissue, consistent with the contents of a deodorant spray can. His death was classified as accidental.
Thompson revealed she had previously bought aerosol deodorants for Freddie but switched to roll-on after noticing a can was used up within 24 hours. She warned her son about the dangers of the trend but still found him unresponsive one morning.
Police said they were aware of the trend, which involves children emptying cans of deodorant into socks and inhaling the fumes to get high. Experts say chroming can be extremely dangerous, leading to blackouts, breathing problems, heart rhythm changes, and even death.
Ashley Martin, a public health adviser at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, stressed that aerosol inhalation is not safe, even in small amounts. “Children and young adults have died after over-spraying aerosols,” she said, warning that fatalities can happen even outside traditional substance abuse situations.
Grieving, Thompson urged other parents to be vigilant. “Children are easily led and they do not realise the dangers… These things do kill people,” she said. Her warning highlights the risks associated with viral online challenges and household products.
Follow on Google News
