Exploding Ammo Box

[Walkingadventure]

Today, I went out with 2 other cachers for a day caching southwest of the Valley and ran across a cache that listed aerosol bug spray as a content to aid in keeping those pesky skeeters at bay.

As I opened the ammo can lid, it exploded open (sounding like a shotgun blast) flying back, hitting me in the hand and luckily caused only a mess to the seat of my pants, a sore hand and a lot of confusion as to what happened.

My 1st thought was this was some funny prank on unsuspecting cachers until I examined the contents. The aerosol OFF container WAS NOT punctured as I had guessed but looked like it had either leaked out due to the heat or shifted in the ammo box, expelling all the propellant and when unlatched, left the box as quickly as it could (in a mist of smoke and noise). After emptying the TBs in it (without replacing any because I was ticked and there is OFF all over the inside of the can) and taking the emptied aeorsol can from the cache, I noticed the sides of the can were now bowed out from the pressure they had been under.

Luckily, now 8 hours later I only have a sore right hand from the explosion and suffering from jitters.

I know no one maliciously caused this accident but it could have been much worse if someone was peering into the box when I opened it or I had been a little closer to the lid as it shot open.

DO NOT PUT ANY AEROSOL CANS IN ANY CACHE AS THEY CAN AND MOST LIKELY WILL LEAK /EXPLODE

If you have to put anything like that into a cache, make sure it’s a pump bottle.

This just about ruined my day and my life.

If you have anything aerosol in any caches you own, stop reading this and go remove them NOW

Following the signals from space.

[JimandLinda]

Holy crap! Linda got almost 100 stitches in her neck from an exploding can!

Thanks for the info!! 😯

[Lacknothing]

I was one of the two other cachers along and it was scary to say the least. It sounded like a bomb going off. He could have seriously been hurt. We also all smelled like Off the rest of the day.

The views expressed here are that of myself only and do not necessarily represent that of the WGA board.

[Team Deejay]

Incidentally, the propellant in aerosol Off is a combination of propane, butane and isobutane….yep, the same stuff in your gas grill. The bang you heard was likely a gas explosion. You are lucky you weren’t more seriously hurt.

[labrat_wr]

WOW! glad you are okay! that is something I am sure that many have not thought about but as the days get hot, anything already under pressure will only increase pressure until it releases.
And in this case, the ammo can remained airrtight and trapped the aerosol inside.

Disclaimer : Always answering to a higher power.

[rtrezrsnhvn]

thank you so much for posting this and sharing it. I’m glad you are ok! I have a very curious 9 yr old that loves to be the first one to open a cache so this warning will not go unheeded….

so, so, sorry that you had to experience it though. I hope tomorrow brings calmer finds 🙂

[Mister Greenthumb]

Considering the amount of bugs this year I occasionally leave OFF in caches, but I leave the packets that contain a wipe form. Any thoughts on this? I’ll stop if anyone objects. I removed a lighter from a cache 2 days ago.

[labrat_wr]

@Mister Greenthumb wrote:

Considering the amount of bugs this year I occasionally leave OFF in caches, but I leave the packets that contain a wipe form. Any thoughts on this? I’ll stop if anyone objects. I removed a lighter from a cache 2 days ago.

I would have to say, IMHO
pump, lotion, or wipes – not a problem
aerosol cans – Problem
(doesn’t matter what the product is.

Oh, butane lighters (huge problem- aren’t these on the DO NOT list already?)

Disclaimer : Always answering to a higher power.

[BigJim]

That is scary. I was going to make a joke here, but decided that it’s not the place for levity. Terribly sorry that you had to experience this. I’m sure that I’ll be more cautious when opening containers from now on.

All opinions, comments, and useless drivel I post are mine alone and do not reflect the opinions of the WGA BOD.

[huffinpuffin2]

We’ve run into a cache similar to this, but do not know if it is the same. Can someone please pm us with the cache name/GC#, so we can resolve that situation if there is indeed a second such can in the wild? Thanks!

[BakRdz]

WOW! So happy you are still able to type and that nothing serious happened other than a good lesson for us all. I guess I’d never expect the inside of the ammo can to get that hot, but I suppose if it’s sitting open in the sun it would be like an oven in there.

[Walkingadventure]

Today’s a new day and I can joke about it now, so Jim let’s hear it.

Jay- since we were stalking you, it could’ve been you which would’ve been bad if you were by yourself. It would’ve taken us a few hours to catch up to you.

HP- I’ve cleaned out the cache and will contact the owner. They had only thought of the best and not the potential bad outcome so that’s why I find this serious and accidental but not malicious.

The hide was a typical ammo box, hidden in the woods near/in/covered by a fallen tree .

Free lessons are the best to learn from. The aerosol can could also be applied to keeping them in vehicles where the brutal Wisconsin sun can get to them

Following the signals from space.

[Walkingadventure]

Mister Greenthumb- I agree with Pete. Wipes should be a great idea for swag. Self contained and non-aerosol.

Following the signals from space.

[amita17]

I was the other cacher along, and initially thought it was some kind of jack-in-the-box prank. That thought quickly left my mind and concern took its place. I agree it was not likely placed with malice. Thankfully there were no serious injuries. It did sound like a gunshot. I will never open an ammo box (or any other cache, for that matter) the same way again! I think wipes or pump sprays would be fine in a cache, though maybe wipes would be better since they wouldn’t leak? I also removed the aerosol can of OFF from my car, just in case. Scary, but a good lesson for all. Thanks for posting the experience.

[labrat_wr]

I guess I wouldn’t be too concerned with an aerosol can in my car, except for the idea that if it did release, the entire car would smell like OFF or whatever. With the ammo can, the volume of the can was finite, and it was airtight. There was nowhere for the pressure to go.

Disclaimer : Always answering to a higher power.

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