You guys may have seen this on YouTube - The Cinnamon Challenge. This is meant as a prank, but it is quite dangerous and causes great harm. This advice is from doctors, hospitals and the U.S. poison centers.  It's been a fad for at least a year that I know of. It involves daring someone to swallow a spoonful of ground cinnamon in a minute without water. Thousands of YouTube videos show kids trying the challenge, and what happens is the victim spews out a the cinnamon, and everyone laughs like crazy.

Seems harmless enough, but the problem is, that cinnamon is a caustic spice and trying to swallow it causes choking, breathing problems and more serious injuries. In more extreme cases, there have been reports of collapsed lungs.

The report was published online Monday in Pediatrics. The report said that thirty teens nationwide needed medical attention after taking the challenge last year. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, the number of calls made concerning the prank, have increased dramatically. There were 51 calls in 2011, and in 2012 there were 222 calls.

The report also warns those who suffer from asthma or other respiratory conditions, are at greater risk of having shortness of breath and trouble breathing. The lungs could even get scarring from the incident.

So parents, grandparents and anyone who is reading this post, please be aware of this prank, and educate your children on the dangers.

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