The "Whoosh Bottle" demonstration, which involves igniting alcohol vapors inside a large bottle to produce a dramatic visual and auditory effect, has been associated with several accidents in high school science laboratory instructional spaces. A recent incident occurred at Southport High School in Indianapolis, where a large glass bottle exploded during the demonstration, causing minor injuries to multiple students and a teacher. One student’s injury required stitches, while other students were either treated and returned to class or released to a parent. (“Glass bottle explosion injures students, chemistry teacher at Indianapolis high school”)

This is not an isolated event. Similar accidents have been reported in the past. For example, in 2011, a "Whoosh Bottle" demonstration at a Minneapolis middle school resulted in a fire that caused burns to four students, one seriously. (“Experts: Little oversight of Minn. classroom science labs”)

Even with these accidents in the news, some teachers just don’t realize the danger and expose themselves and their students to serious safety hazards and resulting health and safety risks by carrying out "Whoosh Bottle" demonstrations in their school laboratory instructional spaces.

The "Whoosh Bottle" demonstration, which involves igniting alcohol vapors inside a large plastic or glass bottle to produce a dramatic combustion effect, carries several safety hazards and resulting risks, especially in a high school laboratory instructional space setting. These hazards include the following:

Fire and Explosion Risks
•    Flash Fire. The rapid combustion of alcohol vapors creates an intense flame that can shoot out of the bottle, posing a burn risk to nearby students and teachers.
•    Explosion Risk.  If too much alcohol is used or if the bottle is sealed, the pressure buildup can cause an explosion, leading to glass or plastic shrapnel injuries.

Burn Hazards
•    Flame Exposure. Hands or clothing can catch fire if proper distancing and safety measures are not followed.
•    Hot Surfaces. The bottle—especially a glass bottle—can become extremely hot after combustion and can cause burns if it is touched too soon.

Chemical Exposure
•    Alcohol Vapors. Inhaling concentrated alcohol vapors can cause dizziness, headaches, or nausea.
•    Incomplete Combustion. If combustion is incomplete, carbon monoxide or other harmful byproducts may be released.

Shattering of Glass Bottles
If a glass bottle is used instead of a plastic one, the heat stress or pressure could cause it to shatter, leading to flying glass shards and potential eye or skin injuries.

Lab Environment Risks
•    Flammable Materials. Nearby papers, clothing, or lab equipment could catch fire if placed too close to the bottle.
•    Improper Ventilation. Poor airflow can allow alcohol vapors to accumulate, increasing the risk of a larger flash fire.
•    Panic or Startle Response. The sudden whoosh sound and flame can startle students, potentially causing accidents or injuries in a crowded laboratory instructional space.

Teacher Liability
Teacher liability in "Whoosh Bottle" demonstration accidents depends on multiple factors, including negligence or recklessness, adherence to safety protocols, and institutional policies. Here are key considerations.

Negligence and Duty of Care
Teachers have a duty of care to ensure student safety. If an accident occurs due to lack of proper precautions, the teacher may be liable for negligence. Courts generally consider the following.
•    Did the teacher follow standard safety protocols? (e.g., use of safety shields, protective gear, fire suppression equipment)
•    Was the demonstration conducted in a safer manner? (e.g., use of plastic instead of glass bottles)
•    Were students adequately warned and distanced from danger?
•    Did the teacher receive proper training on conducting this demonstration?
•    What would a reasonable and prudent person do?

School and District Liability
•    If the school district mandates or allows this demonstration without proper training or safety guidelines, liability may extend to administrators.
•    Schools often have liability insurance that may cover injuries, but lawsuits can arise if negligence or recklessness is proven. (https://cen.acs.org/safety/New-York-City-student-awarded/97/i27)

Qualified Immunity and Legal Protections
•    Public school teachers often have qualified immunity, which protects them from personal lawsuits unless gross negligence or recklessness is proven.
•    Private school teachers may have different legal exposure based on state laws and school policies.

Past Legal Cases and Precedents
•    Southport High School (2024). A teacher was investigated after a "Whoosh Bottle" accident injured students. Liability was questioned based on whether safety measures were followed.
•    Maple Grove Middle School (2011). A teacher’s failure to anticipate fire risks led to student injuries, raising legal concerns.

Preventing Liability
The best way to prevent liability is to choose an alternative demonstration or present the demonstration online. Not doing the experiment will guarantee that no one gets hurt due to the experiment. This demonstration is not necessary for the students to learn the necessary standards and should be avoided at all costs.

To reduce legal risks, teachers should do the following.
•    Follow National Fire Protection Association (NFPA; https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2025/02/11/fire-safety-in-laboratories-and-nfpa-45) and American Chemical Society (ACS; https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/about/governance/committees/chemicalsafety/publications/acs-safety-guidelines-academic.pdf) lab safety guidelines.
•    Use plastic bottles instead of glass.
•    Ensure Personal Protective Equipment (i.e., safety goggles, gloves, lab coats) is used.
•    Keep students at a safer distance.
•    Carry out the activity in a fume hood.
•    Obtain administrative approval and document safety measures.
•    Check with the local Fire Marshall to make sure your room is equipped to handle the potential hazards associated with the experiment. Have the Fire Marshall approve the demonstration before conducting it.

A teacher may be liable if negligence or failure to follow safety protocols is proven. However, liability often extends to school districts and administrators as well. Ensuring strict adherence to safety standards is key to preventing accidents and legal consequences.

Laboratory instructional space incidents highlight the inherent safety hazards and resulting health and safety risks associated with this demonstration, especially when proper safety protocols are not strictly followed. Many school districts have banned this demonstration. Despite these recommendations, hazardous demonstrations like the "Whoosh Bottle" continue to be used in science education, often leading to serious injuries, despite the fact that little to no correlation exists between these demonstrations and student successes in the classroom.

Educators are urged to carefully assess the safety hazards and resulting health and safety risks vs. benefits of such demonstrations and to prioritize safety by following established legal safety standards (e.g., Occupation Safety and Health Administration) and better professional safety practices (e.g., NSTA).

Reference
Roy, K. 2022 (October 31). Methanol use in school science labs: Danger, Will Robinson. NSTA Safety Blog. https://www.nsta.org/blog/methanol-use-school-science-labs-danger-will-robinson.

Submit questions regarding safety to Ken Roy at safersci@gmail.com. Follow Ken Roy on X (formerly known as Twitter): @drroysafersci.

Safety Blog Acknowledgement
NSTA Chief Safety Blogger Dr. Ken Roy wishes to sincerely thank nationally recognized District Supervisor of Science Kevin S. Doyle, Ed.D., Morris Hills Regional District, Rockaway, New Jersey (kdoyle@mhrd.org) for his professional review of and contributions to this commentary.