'Boiling Water Challenge' Leaves 8 Burned During Polar Vortex

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The "boiling water challenge" sent several people to the hospital in the Chicago area during last week's polar vortex.

Loyola University Medical Center treated eight people for significant burns, according to a hospital spokesman. Victims ranged in age from three to 53, and some were bystanders trying to watch a friend or family member do the challenge.

The challenge tasks people with throwing extremely hot water into the air outside during freezing temperatures just to see it turn into a cloud of steam.

Doctors at Loyola Medicine's Burn Center say bad aim and bad throws sent that scalding hot water onto people instead of into the air.

"We've seen eight patients, and we're really surprised at how many people were trying the challenge and unfortunately failing," said Dr. Arthur Sanford, a Loyola University Medical Center burn surgeon.

People can experience first, second or even third-degree burns when they accidentally spill boiling water on their feet or spray it on to their face or body.