Explosion
An explosion is a release of energy in a sudden and violent way that results in heat or gases being forcefully pushed, or blasted, outward. Explosions are rare, but when they occur, anyone within the radius of the blast can be injured or killed.
Explosion risks include anything that can produce lots of energy, such as natural gas, fireworks, munitions and certain chemicals carelessly mixed together. A leak in a propane-fueled furnace caused an explosion that blew a house apart and killed a man in Corcoran, Minnesota on February 1, 2007.
In recent years, methamphetamine (meth) labs have become increasingly dangerous as untrained “cooks” mix chemicals that are very unstable and highly explosive. From 1996 to 1999, various states (including Minnesota) reported 112 meth lab-related events in which 155 persons were injured; about half of the injured were first responders.
Be prepared for an explosion. If you're in an area at risk of an explosion, or an area that has recently had an explosion, you'll need to evacuate immediately.
- Go to Get Prepared to create a family communication plan that includes a Go Plan and build a 3-day emergency kit to be ready for an explosion.
- Print the Explosion Checklist (PDF) and discuss this information with your family.
Explosion Resources
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Explosions (external link)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Explosions and Blast Injuries: A Primer for Clinicians (external link) - Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
Meth Lab Program (external link) - Common Ground Alliance (CGA)
Pipeline Safety (external link)