Post by SpyderLady on May 31, 2007 23:11:48 GMT -6
Mom warns parents about 'computer dusting'
written by: Nelson Garcia , Reporter
Last updated: 5/27/2007 7:07:26 PM
ENGLEWOOD – When Dana Acker went to check on her 15-year-old son in the bath, she never imagined she would never see him alive again. Joshua Dean Knight died after inhaling from an aerosol can used to clean electronics.
"I never suspected this. I've never heard of it. Didn't know anything about it," Acker said.
More and more kids around the country are engaging in a dangerous practice they call "computer dusting." The product, made by a variety of manufacturers, produces a burst of air which is meant to blow dust off keyboards, cameras or other hardware.
Acker says more and more kids are dying each year because they don't realize the burst of air contains a chemical, Freon, which is used in refrigerators and air conditioners. She says officers who responded to her son's death told her it's a growing problem.
"Dusting will kill you instantly off of one huff. They explained it as playing Russian roulette," Acker said.
Joshua aspired to be a professional skateboarder. His mother says he was always known as the funny kid. She now wears his ashes around her neck and his death weighs heavily on her heart as she works to save the lives of other kids.
"They think it's a game and it's not. My son's gone from it," Acker said. "I'm on a mission. I think it's a good mission."
She is now visiting with schools to talk to students and parents. Acker says not enough people know about it. According to her research, more and more boys ages 13-15 are trying dusting because they think it's harmless.
"My goal is to reach out to these kids that are doing things they shouldn't be doing and letting them be aware of how dangerous this is," said Acker.
According to the National Inhalants Prevention Coalition, parents can look for warning signs such as redness in the eyes along with white blisters in the mouth or numbness in the throat. Also, unexplained empty cans of dusting products in the trash could be a clear sign.
"I just want parents to be aware of what their kids are doing. Don't be afraid to go through their room. Don't be afraid to go through their stuff," Acker said.
written by: Nelson Garcia , Reporter
Last updated: 5/27/2007 7:07:26 PM
ENGLEWOOD – When Dana Acker went to check on her 15-year-old son in the bath, she never imagined she would never see him alive again. Joshua Dean Knight died after inhaling from an aerosol can used to clean electronics.
"I never suspected this. I've never heard of it. Didn't know anything about it," Acker said.
More and more kids around the country are engaging in a dangerous practice they call "computer dusting." The product, made by a variety of manufacturers, produces a burst of air which is meant to blow dust off keyboards, cameras or other hardware.
Acker says more and more kids are dying each year because they don't realize the burst of air contains a chemical, Freon, which is used in refrigerators and air conditioners. She says officers who responded to her son's death told her it's a growing problem.
"Dusting will kill you instantly off of one huff. They explained it as playing Russian roulette," Acker said.
Joshua aspired to be a professional skateboarder. His mother says he was always known as the funny kid. She now wears his ashes around her neck and his death weighs heavily on her heart as she works to save the lives of other kids.
"They think it's a game and it's not. My son's gone from it," Acker said. "I'm on a mission. I think it's a good mission."
She is now visiting with schools to talk to students and parents. Acker says not enough people know about it. According to her research, more and more boys ages 13-15 are trying dusting because they think it's harmless.
"My goal is to reach out to these kids that are doing things they shouldn't be doing and letting them be aware of how dangerous this is," said Acker.
According to the National Inhalants Prevention Coalition, parents can look for warning signs such as redness in the eyes along with white blisters in the mouth or numbness in the throat. Also, unexplained empty cans of dusting products in the trash could be a clear sign.
"I just want parents to be aware of what their kids are doing. Don't be afraid to go through their room. Don't be afraid to go through their stuff," Acker said.
