The tragic death of a 13-year-old girl in Australia has prompted her parents to raise awareness about the dangers of a practice called “chroming.” In an era dominated by social media, where popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok are easily accessible on smartphones, the pursuit of likes, followers, and retweets can have deadly consequences, particularly for vulnerable young individuals. Esra Haynes, the teenager in question, lost her life after experimenting with chroming during a sleepover.
Chroming involves inhaling chemicals from an aerosol can to achieve a high. Esra’s parents, Paul and Andrea Haynes, vividly remember the heart-wrenching moment they received the devastating news about their daughter. They received a late-night phone call that no parent ever wants to receive, urging them to come and get their daughter. Following the inhalation of deodorant from an aerosol can, the young girl suffered cardiac arrest and was immediately rushed to the hospital in an unresponsive state.
Eight days later, doctors informed the family that Esra’s brain had suffered irreversible damage. Faced with this devastating reality, her parents made the painful decision to say their final goodbyes, choosing not to sustain her life through medical devices.
Despite their overwhelming grief, Esra’s parents have decided to speak out about the dangers associated with chroming. They hope to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies from occurring. Paul emphasizes that children often fail to consider the long-term consequences of their actions, and Esra would never have engaged in chroming had she known the risks.
The Haynes family has several goals they wish to achieve following their daughter’s untimely death. They advocate for CPR training to be provided in schools for every child and urge manufacturers to modify the formulation or propellants of deodorant cans to reduce their potential harm. Paul compares the danger of aerosol cans to having a loaded pistol sitting on a shelf and calls for manufacturers to take responsibility.
In memory of their daughter, the grieving parents are committed to making a difference. They aspire to see changes implemented, such as altered aerosols and mandatory first-aid training for children every two years in all schools nationwide. Additionally, they believe social media platforms should exercise tighter control over their content, preventing children from accessing adult material.
In this time of immense sorrow and loss, we extend our thoughts of peace and comfort to Esra’s parents and family. Their mission is driven by their daughter’s name, which means “helper,” and they seek to honor her memory by advocating for positive changes and sharing their tragic experience.
