In a heartbreaking plea, the parents of 13-year-old Esra Haynes have called for urgent action after their daughter’s life was tragically cut short due to a dangerous trend known as “chroming.” Esra, a student from Lilydale High School in Melbourne, died after inhaling chemicals from an aerosol deodorant can during a sleepover with friends in 2023.
The trend, which involves inhaling toxic chemicals from aerosol cans to experience a quick high, has gained alarming popularity among teenagers. Esra’s parents, Andrea and Paul, are now speaking out in the hope of raising awareness and preventing other families from suffering the same devastating loss. They believe that Esra encountered the trend through social media, where such dangerous behaviors are often glamorized.
The Tragic Incident
Esra’s life came to an abrupt end when she went into cardiac arrest after participating in chroming at her friend’s sleepover. Paramedics were called to the scene, and Esra was rushed to the hospital, but the damage was already done. When her parents arrived, they were told that she had suffered severe and irreversible brain damage due to a lack of oxygen. Despite being placed on life support, Esra’s condition did not improve, and eight days later, her heartbroken parents were forced to make the agonizing decision to turn off the machines.
Paul Haynes described the heartache of watching their daughter, once full of life, lying unresponsive. “They asked us to bring family and friends to say goodbye to our 13-year-old daughter. It was one of the most difficult things we’ve ever had to do.”
The loss has devastated the family, with Esra’s older siblings—Imogen, Seth, and Charlie—providing her comfort in her final moments. “They cuddled her until the end,” Andrea said through tears.
The Growing Danger of Chroming
Chroming is a dangerous and potentially fatal trend where individuals inhale the chemicals from aerosol cans, typically deodorants, to experience a quick high. These chemicals can cause severe damage to the brain and heart, leading to cardiac arrest, brain damage, or even death. Teenagers, often unaware of the life-threatening risks involved, are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of chroming.
Sadly, Esra’s death is not an isolated incident. In 2019, a 16-year-old boy from New South Wales died from inhaling aerosol fumes, and in 2021, a young girl in Queensland suffered irreversible brain damage after engaging in the same practice. These cases have raised alarms across Australia, prompting schools, medical experts, and even supermarkets to take action.
Efforts to Raise Awareness and Prevent Further Tragedy
In response to the growing concern, some supermarkets have started locking up deodorant cans to prevent theft and misuse. The trend has also caught the attention of educational authorities, with many schools and regional education departments working to educate children about the dangers of chroming. Medical professionals are also joining the effort, speaking out about the devastating impact of inhalant abuse and offering guidance on how to address it.
Esra’s parents have called for greater regulation and more proactive measures to protect children from this deadly trend. They believe social media plays a significant role in spreading harmful behaviors and urge platforms to take responsibility for monitoring and removing content that promotes dangerous activities like chroming.
A Message from Esra’s Parents
The Haynes family’s tragic loss has underscored the urgency of addressing the chroming epidemic before it claims more lives. Esra’s parents are determined to ensure that no other family has to go through the same heartache. Through their grief, they have vowed to speak out and share their story in the hope of saving others from the same fate.
“We want our daughter’s death to mean something,” said Andrea. “We don’t want anyone else to lose their child to something so preventable.”
Esra’s parents are calling for greater education and awareness about chroming, stronger regulation on the sale and distribution of aerosol products, and more effective intervention from social media platforms to prevent the spread of dangerous trends. Their message is clear: It’s time to act before it’s too late.
Conclusion
Esra Haynes’ tragic death is a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise from seemingly harmless trends. While the excitement of a quick high may seem appealing to some, the consequences can be fatal. As parents, educators, and communities, we must work together to raise awareness and protect our young people from falling victim to such deadly behaviors. The Haynes family’s heart-wrenching story serves as a powerful call to action for everyone to take responsibility in safeguarding the next generation.
