Tips for Parents to Prevent Bottle-Bomb Injuries, Damages and Consequences

Several months ago emails circulated warning of bottle bombs left in people's yards that would explode, often as someone was picking it up thinking it was garbage left on the lawn. Many thought this was simply a hoax, or another form of email spam. However, it is all too true and all too dangerous. However, the bottle-bomb fad doesn't stop there.

What are bottle bombs?

Bottle bombs are homemade explosives made with easily available chemicals in your home, garage and pool. Thousands of YouTube.com videos show teens either how to create these bottle bombs or how much "fun" and excitement that bottle bombs create.

They have had different names, including "mailbox bombs," "acid bombs," "Drano bombs," "works bombs," "pressure bombs," and "MacGyver bombs." The name mailbox bombs came from the series of so called "pranks" that ended up in explosions, injury and property damage due to homemade bombs left in mailboxes.

Common ingredients for bottle bombs:

Instructions abound on the internet. Within seconds this writer had several different variations with a list of ingredients and step by step instructions on how to create a bottle bomb which can be constructed using ingredients like plastic bottles (many years ago there are reports of using glass bottles) chlorine tablets, hydrogen peroxide, dry ice, alcohol, Drano, baking soda, foil and even vinegar. Some reports include the use of nails inside the bottle, adding to the serious nature of damage and injury after explosions.

After placing the ingredients inside a plastic bottle like a water bottle, pop bottle or 2 liter container and a gas begins to appear. The gas then explodes through the bottles weakest area, quite often the neck of the bottle. The bigger the bottle; the bigger the explosion.

What are the consequences of bottle bombs?

Bottle bombs are unpredictable and dangerous. Though teens may consider them nothing more than "harmless fun" they are anything but. The consequences can be deadly. Other consequences include: felony charges that could result in convictions, loss of limbs, hearing or sight, damages to property, injury to others, schools, stores and homes have been evacuated and even locked down; and wasted money and resources in communities as they respond to calls regarding bottle bombs.

Why create bottle bombs?

Some teens have considered it a form of entertainment mixing and running to watch the explosion. However many others have been much more malicious, leaving the bottle unmixed in yards and in front of buildings to be later picked up by other (in some cases a teacher, principal or unfriendly neighbor) causing an explosion. According to one Austin police officer, "If somebody had gone outside and touched one of these, before it exploded, that person could have been seriously injured or even killed," said Corporal Scott Perry with the Austin Police Department. One website suggested "waking up a dorm mate or neighbor or using it as a 'diversion' while you are participating in some other form of mischief." Bottle bombs are hard to detect after they have detonated since they end up being little pieces of trash and the chemicals used inside have evaporated.

If you should find one on your property or at school you should contact law enforcement officials immediately According to the NJ Department of Community Affairs Division of Fire Safety, "No one except Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel should try to touch these bombs. Treat them as you would an explosive device made of high explosives. Isolate the area, keep back a minimum of 200 feet, and notify law enforcement."

Real life stories about bottle bomb consequences:

Teens and college students all over the United States have been affected by bottle bombs. One honor roll student in California lost his college admission, full scholarship and now has a felony conviction on his record for placing a bottle bomb in a trash can at school.

Three college students in Michigan were arrested in April 2010 after making bottle bombs and throwing them onto the Calvin College Campus.

Students at a Christian school in the Houston area were arrested after bottle bombs detonated in trash cans, resulting in a disruption, evacuation and lock down of the school.

In Virginia after bottle bombs were found on school property the Virginia Fire Marshall stated, "These bombs are very dangerous. You can get very seriously burned. You can be blinded by the acids and chemicals that are given off," Wormser said. If caught making or using a bomb, you could be charged with a felony, or possibly even a terrorism related crime. Worse, if someone is injured or dies, you could find yourself with an attempted murder or murder charge."

In Ohio 6 teens were arrested after bottle bombs were found, unexploded.

In Florida one bottle bomb experiment turned into a serious injury, leaving the prankster blinded.

A Houston Texas homeowner lost some of her hearing after cleaning up bottles in her yard that later exploded.

Those who participate in this sort of "mischief" or prank are thinking only of themselves. They aren't considering the damage that can be done to property, an innocent bystander or even those who are responding to the emergency call. Often they think that no one will be hurt by the bomb, however the chemicals used within the bombs can cause serious injuries to all, as they construct or destruct.

One law enforcement official stated "If you touch it, you move it, you start the chain reaction and you could be holding it when it blows up," no matter what your intentions were. And if you think that kind of thing just doesn't happen, well, it already has. Remember the key word here is "bomb."

What can parents do to protect and prevent bottle bombs? Be aware of what your children are doing when they are outside. Monitor their internet activity, viewing the history to look for bottle bombs or other popular terms mentioned in this article. Review your download history for videos or other instructions regarding bottle bombs. Lock away household, home and garden and pool chemicals to protect your family, pets and property. Discuss bottle bombs and the damage that they can do to a person and property. Most importantly let your children know you are aware of this popular fad and make them aware of the dangers.

For more positive news on plastic bottles and teens visit Teens Tap in to Environmental Concern.

Sources:

Urban Legends

Fox News

Instructables.com (Not posting link because it is instructions step by step for DIY bottle bombs)

CDC.gov

Digital Journal

Wood TV

The Today Show