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Circulating messages on the Internet claim that kids are making dangerous bottle bombs with Drano, a little water, and tin foil and leaving them on front lawns and driveways, in mailboxes, or left in other conspicuous places where they may be picked up.  If the person that picks up the bottle shakes it, even the slightest, the bottle may explode causing serious harm.

According to Snopes.com, it appears this potential threat is real.  When the foil and drain cleaner combine, a powerful chemical reaction can occur.  In about 30 seconds or less enough a gas can build up to cause an explosion, spewing hot and caustic liquid.  The explosion is strong enough to remove some extremities.

Over the years, injuries – second- and third-degree burns, blindness, limb and facial injuries, and hearing damage – have occurred to those who have handled one of these bottles, including the bottler makers.

This prank is nothing new, but it appears that the Internet has provided teens with the information on how to make these bottle bombs from simple household items.  If you find a soda bottle or any other bottles lying in your yard, don’t pick it up examine.  Carefully examine it before touching it or getting too close. If it shows signs of swelling or melting in any way, call 911.  For the safety of others, pass this on to everybody you know.

Mark Bello has thirty-six years experience as a trial lawyer and fourteen years as an underwriter and situational analyst in the lawsuit funding industry. He is the owner and founder of Lawsuit Financial Corporation which helps provide cash flow solutions and consulting when necessities of life litigation funding is needed by a plaintiff involved in pending, personal injury, litigation. Bello is a Justice Pac member of the American Association for Justice, Sustaining and Justice Pac member of the Michigan Association for Justice, Member of Public Justice, Public Citizen, the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the Injury Board.

One Comment

  1. Gravatar for John Bedford
    John Bedford

    The internet has given us a lot of good information but then it ruins all that by teaching kids how to get wasted on nutmeg and make draino bombs.

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