Science Experiment Accident or Child Endangerment: You Decide the Truth
This shocking video makes the viewer wonder, is this a science experiment accident or child endangerment?
The video shows a homeschooled teenager conducting a science experiment. He holds a lighter to the end of a bottle, and BOOM! An explosion occurs, scaring everyone, including his two younger siblings, who are in the way of the flame. Fortunately, no one was injured!
But it makes one wonder, is the mother responsible for damages? Do we need to call child protective services? The answer has a lot to do with the child’s homeschooled status.
Science Experiment: Homeschool vs. School Safety
If this science experiment accident had occurred in a school, the school could be liable for damages. Every school district enforces lab safety rules. For instance, districts may prohibit students from horsing around in the lab or pointing chemicals at others.
If someone violates these laws, the teacher or school could be liable for damages.
However, these rules would not apply to a homeschool science experiment accident. Many homeschooling households are exempt from most regulations and do not have to invest in expensive safety equipment like goggles, eyewash stations, and safety showers.
Can Any At-Home Science Experiments Get You Arrested?
The science experiment mishap shown in this video can be considered an accident. However, certain types of science experiments can lead to arrest. They are illegal regardless of whether they are homeschool experiments conducted by children or curious adults. These include:
Experiments Involving Explosive Chemicals: Laws regarding purchasing hazardous and explosive chemicals vary from state to state. Some people may purchase illegal chemicals locally in another state and bring them across state lines. Consequently, they may face arrest if they use these chemicals in a science experiment.
Making Explosions: Moreover, in this post-9/11 world, any explosion can pose a danger. Therefore, individuals who intentionally cause an explosion in their homes could face lawsuits.
Making Drugs: Let Breaking Bad be a lesson. Making drugs at home is illegal. If you try to sell those drugs, you may be facing additional charges.
What Laws Apply to Child Endangerment?
Law endangerment laws differ among jurisdictions. In general, parents may be guilty of child endangerment if:
- They willingly place their child in a dangerous situation.
- They expose their child to unreasonable mental or physical pain or suffering.
- They willfully permit their child to be injured.
A parent may be guilty of child endangerment if they leave weapons around their home within a child’s reach. Authorities may also accuse parents if they fail to care for a sick child.
While one could argue that the parents in the video allowed their child to participate in a risky activity, they couldn’t foresee the potential danger that ensued. It was an accident. The parents would not be charged with child endangerment, especially if there is no history of abuse in the family.
Lab Safety In Schools
Families that homeschool don’t need to take the same precautions when conducting a science experiment at home, but schools do. Unfortunately, according to a Science Safety study, many schools do not enforce these protocols strongly enough.
The National Safety Council estimates that about 5,000 school safety accidents occur annually, of which about 10% are science lab-related.
Schools can improve their enforcement of lab safety by creating a national database of science safety practices, publishing safety training programs for teachers, administrators, and officials, and updating facilities to ensure safety.
Schools that endanger students in science labs may face fines and lawsuits.