LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Social media posts often appear in one place, only to resurface again later. That's the case with online warnings circulating about using household items to create an explosive.
We're fact-checking whether these rumors about a homemade bomb-making recipe are true. So if you put Drano in a bottle, will it eventually explode when shaken?
You may be surprised to learn that the answer is yes, it is true!
Our sources include various Facebook posts referring to Drano bombs, analysis of social media networks, including TikTok and Reddit, and news reports about Drano bomb incidents from across the country.
A quick search turns up several Facebook posts about these so-called "Drano bombs" made with the household drain cleaner. Serious warnings accompany the posts and people are asked to share them with others.
The Facebook posts warn people to be careful picking up bottles, saying that kids are making dangerous explosive devices with Drano, and targeting unsuspecting people.
Warnings posted by government or police officials have also cautioned against plastic bottles that may actually be Drano bombs in disguise.
There’s no question that Drano bombs are real and they are dangerous, but it's not just young people putting these incendiary devices together.
In May of 2023, a 35-year-old man in Queens, New York, was arrested after throwing an explosive onto a local rooftop. Police found a two-liter bottle of Pepsi and an empty bottle of Drano nearby, according to local media.
NYPD said at the time that they had a video of the man making the concoction. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
But this trend is actually not new— dozens of these Facebook posts have been shared, dating back to 2016.
Regardless, authorities say if you should see such a device, follow these safety tips:
- Do not touch the Drano bomb
- If possible, isolate the suspected Drano bomb and evacuate the area
- Never put a Drano bomb in water
- Don't hesitate to call 911 if you suspect a bottle could be a bomb