[MarinTeams] FW from MMRC: Safety Issue

[Bill Smith]

 From: David Bettin
Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2011 1:21 PM
To: City of Novato Employees - All
Subject: Safety Issue

 I recently received the information below about “Drano bombs”.  We have had
a couple of incidents in Novato and a recent incident in Vacaville where a
citizen was injured.  I am sending this out for your information and safety
so you can take the appropriate precautions in dealing with these type of
incidents.
Kids are putting Drano, tin foil, and a little water in soda bottles and
capping it up - leaving it on lawns. When you go to pick it up to throw it
in the trash, and the bottle is shaken just a little - in about 30 seconds
or less it builds up a gas and 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 yards or in the
gutter, etc.  Disturb it by moving it; and BOOM!! No fingers left and other
serious effects to your face, eyes, etc.

People are finding these "bombs" in mailboxes and in their yards, just
waiting for people to pick it up intending to put it in the trash. It takes
about 30 seconds to blow after you move the thing.
If you see a suspicious bottle please contact your local law enforcement
agency.

The  "SNOPES" site below validates the devices and shows the Indiana State
Police Bomb Squad detonating one

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bottlebomb.asp

Dave Bettin
Novato Police Department
909 Machin Avenue
Novato, Ca 94945
415-897-4361