A new fad involving lying down in unusual places - and posting the photographs on Facebook - has been gaining popularity fast in Australia but with a recent death, authorities are calling for caution.

Though 'lying down in unusual places' doesn't sound like it leaves much room for safety risks, an Australian man proved otherwise this weekend. Acton Beale, 20, fell seven storeys to his death, after attempting to plank on a two-inch wide balcony railing.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard urged caution in the wake of Beale's death. "Everybody likes a bit of fun but focus has to be on keeping yourself safe first," she said.

The caution hasn't seemed to have slowed down the popularity of planking though, which has particularly taken off in Australia. The Planking Australia Facebook page is already at well over 100,000 likes - and still climbing.