Since its inception, television has been an outlet for many people to escape their day-to-day lives. In the early days of television, thousands tuned in every week to catch the latest antics of I Love Lucy or the Brady Bunch. Popular television nowadays, though, paints quite a different picture for audiences.

Shows like Fear Factor make people cringe at what some people will do for a buck while shows like Grey's Anatomy delight audiences with convoluted love stories and complicated injuries.

A popular drama on AMC called Breaking Bad brings new meaning to "seeing how the other half lives." A high school chemistry teacher teams up with a former flunkie student to cook crystal methamphetamine and crazy crime-induced antics ensue. 

What the show doesn't show though (least not to the extent it should) is the extreme dangers of cooking meth. Sure the shows main characters don hardcore protective gear to make batches, but it is just tv, right? It really isn't that dangerous.... Ha!

Thankfully we haven't had any Twin County meth labs in recent years, but just yesterday, a Wilson County man was hospitalized after an explosion at his Elm City meth lab/ mobile home.

Authorities said neighbors heard an explosion and saw two men fleeing the trailer, one of whom was ON FIRE! Yes, the resident/meth manufacturing suspect, was ablaze after something went awry. The condition of the 25-year-old man, Lucas Benjamin Barrett, is unknown. Police said his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, but life-altering is likely another issue.

Meth labs not only pose risks to the ones cooking, but to those around — in the house of the lab (think children) and those in the neighborhood.

The National Drug Intelligence Center said simply being exposed to the toxic chemicals used to produe meth causes intoxication, dizziness, nausea, disorientation, lack of coordination, pulmonary edema, serious respiratory problems, severe chemical burns and damage to internal organs.

If the lab explodes like the one in Wilson or worse, neighboring structures could catch fire, too. The chemicals used to make math are far from stable:  red phosphorus explodes from contact or friction, hypophosphorous acid produces phospine gas if overheated and litium metal reacts violently with water.

Oh, and if that wasn't enough, each lab produces approximately 5 to 7 pounds of toxic waste for every pound of meth produced. Oftentimes these meth manufacturers simply discard that toxic waste near the lab, which can cause contamination to soil and nearby water supplies.

And one more thing, once a lab is discovered and dismantled, the structure itself has to be decontaminated by professionals because the toxic conditions do not magically clear up once the cooking is done.

Needless to say, we have plenty of reasons to ensure methamphetamine laboratories do not start popping up in our community. Below are some of the signs of possible meth labs, if you see some of these indicators, contact law enforcement immediately:

• Unusual odors (ether, ammonia, acetone or other chemicals)
• Excessive amoutns of trash (in particular chemical containers, coffee filters or pieces of cloth that are stained red, or duct tape rolls)
• Curtains are always drawn or windows on residences, garages, sheds or cars are covered with aluminum foil or blackened
• Evidence of chemical waste or dumping
• Frequent visitors at unusual times
• Extensive security measures or attempts to ensure privacy (no trespassing or beware of dog signs, fences, large trees or shrubs)
• Secretive or unfriendly occupants

Crime Stoppers can be contacted at 977-1111 or crimestoppers@rockymountnc.gov.