By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — The school principal of PS 178 in Washington Heights sent students home with reassuring letters to parents Monday after a series of “Drano bombs” were set off throughout the weekend in Washington Heights.
The letters assured parents that a proper and thorough cleanup was conducted after a school janitor discovered the aftermath of exploded homade "drano bombs" — plastic bottles filled with a volatile mix of drain opener and bleach — along the main entrance of the school, located on Elwood Street.
The principal told parents the school grounds were safe for children, school officials said.
But Inwood resident Kathleen Snyder, 48, the mother of twin five-year-old boys who attend PS 178, said she remained concerned about the incident.
“My husband and I play kick the bottle with the kids when we see bottles on the street,” she said. “Now I wonder if I need to tell them to stop. How do I teach them the difference between a soda bottle and a bomb?”
According to NYPD Community Affairs Officer Haydee Pabey, the 34th Precinct is now embarking on a public awareness campaign targeted at area hardware and grocery store owners, asking them to monitor the sale of Drano and other household chemical products to minors.
The precinct has begun posting bilingual English and Spanish language signs that read: “In order to keep our community safe, we are advising you to be aware of who you sell these products to as they can be misused intentionally to create illegal fireworks which are dangerous and deadly.”
