Health experts say they're noticing a disturbing trend popping up around the country. Teenagers are distilling hand sanitizer and drinking it to get drunk.
So far, it's happened six times in the San Fernando Valley in California, where teens had to be taken to the emergency rooms over the past few months. They were treated for alcohol poisoning after drinking the liquid.
It's something that's shocking parents and even doctors across the country. Children's Hospital of Los Angeles calls it a dangerous trend. The new technique involves distilling the cheap liquid so kids can use it to get drunk.
Most hand sanitizers have 62 percent ethyl alcohol. A quick check of the internet shows how to use salt to separate the alcohol, creating a powerful 120 proof shot. Experts say a person who's never had alcohol before can get drunk in an instant.
This isn't the first time we've heard about teenagers doing crazy things to get drunk. They've gotten drunk off mouthwash, cough syrup and even vanilla extract. Now, parents need to add hand sanitizer to the list of things they keep tabs on.
Experts say parents should buy foam hand sanitizer because it's harder to distill the alcohol. They also say parents should monitor the sanitizer the way they would liquor or medicine.
Have you heard about this trend before? Do you worry about your kids getting drunk or high off products commonly found in your house? Do you talk to your kids about the dangers? Leave our thoughts below.
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Information courtesy of NBC News
