A Port Lincoln father has sounded out a warning to parents about the potentially fatal consequences of children inhaling from barbecue gas bottles, after the death of his 16-year-old son.

Key points: A father has pleaded for parents to talk to their kids about risk-taking

A father has pleaded for parents to talk to their kids about risk-taking It comes after his son died from sucking in gas from a barbecue gas bottle, known as "huffing"

It comes after his son died from sucking in gas from a barbecue gas bottle, known as "huffing" He said he has been told it is a popular activity for teenagers to try

Paddy, 16, died after inhaling gas from an LPG cylinder, an act known as "huffing" while at a friend's house in Port Lincoln on February 9.

"It was just a normal Saturday night and he wound up dead," Adrian told ABC Radio Adelaide.

"He sucked on a gas bottle off a barbecue and it killed him.

"I had never ever heard of it, but it's coming out that it's rampant."

Huffing is a term used for inhalant use, when people inhale substances in order to get intoxicated or "get a high", according to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website.

Some common inhalants include aerosol spray, chrome-based paint, glue and gas from lighters or barbecues.

Commonly used terms for inhalant use include sniffing, huffing or chroming.

Patrick was a well known teenager in the Port Lincoln community. ( Supplied )

Adrian said since his son's death he had been told that it was a popular activity for young adults and teenagers.

"I spoke to a friend and his son said pretty much everyone from 15 to 21, if they haven't had a go at it themselves, they've been around when it's going on," he said.

"I don't know how we get it through to them. People need to know, and the kids need to stop it."

Adrian said on the night of the incident he had gone out for the evening while Paddy had some friends over for a barbecue.

The teenagers had planned to go out to a party at another friend's house later that night.

'They couldn't get his heart to start'

Adrian said it was on his return home just before midnight that his world turned upside down.

"I was home for about 15 minutes and then 'bang, bang, bang' on the door, these kids said 'you've gotta come, Paddy has fallen over'," he said.

Patrick was a good footballer and played in Port Lincoln. ( Supplied )

"I'm going OK let's not panic, let's not panic, it's only three streets away.

"We jumped in the car and I took them back there, and there was an ambulance there and three paramedics working on Paddy when I got there."

Fighting back tears, Adrian said he knew his son was dead as soon as he saw him laying on the ground.

"They continued to do that for 45 minutes after I got there but they couldn't get his heart to start again," he said.

"They pronounced him dead, but it's a crime scene so they couldn't move his body."

Adrian said after talking to a few people about huffing, some teenagers had admitted to trying it, and knowing others who had as well.

"I don't know how many times Paddy's done it, I would hope to think that it was his first time," he said.

"I don't even know how you're supposed to do it or what the benefits out of it are."

He said those close to his son were left "devastated" and some friends still had not gone back to school.

His family is also still coming to terms with the loss.

"We're kind of in shock at the moment," he said.

"We're just dealing with it, the town has been amazing, work has been amazing, everyone is amazing, but I'd rather have not found out how amazing people are, not like this."

Calls for parents to talk about risk-taking

Adrian said it was vital that parents speak to their children about risk-taking, especially as they go through their teenage years.

He said he hoped to get his message out there in a bid to make sure other parents do not have to go through the same pain his family is enduring.

"It's going on. It's happening without us knowing. Be aware of [huffing] and talk to your kids about it," he said.

"It's lethal. They've got to know that it's lethal.

"There's gotta be some purpose in it for me and if we can just get that message out there. Just tell them it's lethal."

Adrian went on to describe his son as "a gun" who everyone in the community loved.

"He was humble, he was a gun footballer, a gun basketballer," he said.

"He was fairly adamant that he could dunk but I just thought he used to lay up with attitude.

"Everyone knew Paddy, he was the best kid.

"We're still really proud of him. He was a good guy; he just made a mistake."

Teenagers can 'face thousands of risks'

South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services chief executive Michael White said risk-taking was a big part of adolescence, particularly for young males.

He said when young people go out, they go out to have fun and that was why it was important to talk to them about risk-taking.

"They face thousands of risks, from crossing the road to walking on train lines to being in cars," he told ABC Radio Adelaide.

"When those risks come with a drug and alcohol context, we're often a lot more scared about them than we are about what we see as ordinary risks.

"But the risks are the same.

"I think it's really about getting the message out to parents."