Something to think about when doing CITO

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 5:34 pm

Received this in a email from the Ambulance Service that I am affiliated with:

Next time you are thinking of picking up a bottle that you think is garbage, might want to give it a second thought.

Kids are putting Drano, tin foil, and a little water in plastic drink bottles and capping it up - leaving it on lawns, in mail boxes, in gardens, on driveways etc. just waiting for you to pick it up intending to put it in the rubbish, but you'll never make it!!!

If the bottle is picked up, and the bottle is shaken even just a little - in about 30 seconds or less it builds up enough gas which then explodes with enough force to remove some of your extremities. The liquid that comes out is boiling hot as well.

Don't pick up any plastic bottles that may be lying in your yards or in the gutter, etc.

Pay attention to this. A plastic bottle with a cap. A little Drano. A little water. A small piece of foil. Disturb it by moving it; and BOOM!! No fingers left and other serious effects to your face, eyes, etc.

Please ensure that everyone that may not have email access are also informed of this.

For verification and more information, go to http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bottlebomb.asp

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 6:41 pm

What is wrong with people?!

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 7:39 pm

As a person who has made several of these in AP chemistry for a sample lesson, I can tell you the biggest danger is getting the fluid in your eyes mouth or nose. The explosion is very minimal, it is loud however, and to take off even a finger you need at least a 3 liter bottle with the items in question mixed in the right amounts. Also it take a heck of a lot longer than 30 seconds, creates heat and you WILL know well before it blows up. I wouldn't worry about this in the least. when you pick up a bottle that is full of something, your probably going to dump it out instead of putting all that weight into your bag anyway.

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 8:15 pm

TheBalks wrote:

As a person who has made several of these in AP chemistry for a sample lesson, I can tell you the biggest danger is getting the fluid in your eyes mouth or nose. The explosion is very minimal, it is loud however, and to take off even a finger you need at least a 3 liter bottle with the items in question mixed in the right amounts. Also it take a heck of a lot longer than 30 seconds, creates heat and you WILL know well before it blows up. I wouldn't worry about this in the least. when you pick up a bottle that is full of something, your probably going to dump it out instead of putting all that weight into your bag anyway.

It is always best to error on the side of caution!

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 8:23 pm

Best thing to do is remove the cap of any bottle you pick up. That way the pressure cannot build up.

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 8:36 pm

isn't chemistry wonderful.....

I do wonder though if they even make Tin Foil anymore.

I am not, by any means, thumbing my nose at the warning. Just being a bit sarcastic as it is hard to sit back and watch some of the stuff going on out there in the name of "fun" for some folks.

Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 3:49 am

Is this the same thing they did on that movie 21 Jump Street?

Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 10:03 am

thankx for the recipe! jk

actually every CITO ive been to they tell us to NOT open any bottles, just throw them away full, you never know what they have in there.

sad that people have to be so destructive

Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 10:08 am

That's just sick and wrong Sad

Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 11:06 am

OMG... what fun is it to harm people???? As a sensible (one that practices common sense) person I sometimes feel I'm living in some bizzarro world... a far cry from the pranks of yesteryear... toilet papering yards!

Joined: 2007-08-27 Posts: 17

There certainly is something to worry about here, check out this video: http://www.nbc.com/news-sports/today-show/no-childs-play-bottle-bombs-are-dangerous-pranks/