Local law enforcement officials say that keeping a close eye on your surroundings is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from the hazards produced by home-based methamphetamine labs.

On March 18, three Aragon residents were charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and arson after an alleged meth lab exploded.

The explosion, caused by a butane container that was being used to “cook” meth, sent several people to the hospital, including emergency workers who had responded to the scene.

Local officials say that, bottom line, the meth problem is growing and with it, the danger of residents becoming exposed to the poisonous effects of the drug are increasing.

Capt. Michael McGee, of the Polk County Police Department spends a good bit of his time traveling around to local clubs and churches, educating citizens on what to look out for.

Because there is money to be made off of the production of meth - a highly addictive drug made with common items like cold medicines and acetone – McGee said that more and more people have started to produce it.

Addicts can make meth almost anywhere McGee said. Neighborhood homes, rental cars, vans and hotel rooms can all be used as a temporary lab.

Knowing what red flags to look for can help local law enforcement crack down on meth producers, McGee said.

“One of the main things to look for is unusual traffic. If a lot of different people are coming in and out of the house at all times of the day and night, that’s good reason to believe something is going on,” he said.

A strong ammonia smell is a big tip-off that someone could be making meth, McGee said. “It’s a very distinct smell that would stand out. It’s not a smell you would encounter daily.”

And the smell is dangerous enough to make someone extremely ill. “Sometimes just the air near a meth lab can knock a person out cold,” McGee said.

Since there are many ingredients used to make meth, a large amount of trash is created by its production.

“For every one pound of meth made, there are six pounds of waste,” said McGee. He said common items like matchboxes, cold medicine, propane tanks should send a warning to residents if it appears a person is stockpiling those items.

Drug agents with the Polk County Police Department said that meth makers often, in plain view, toss out empty boxes and containers of items used to make meth.

Drug agents stress that anyone suspecting illegal activity should not investigate the situation themselves; law enforcement should be notified right away.

Both the county and city police departments have tip lines where suspicious activity can be called in anonymously.

The county’s tip line is 678-757-9616. The city’s tip line is 770-748-4123. Callers contacting the city should press 4, then leave a message.