As panicked Americans wipe store shelves clean of hand sanitizer in an effort to stave off the novel coronavirus, others have been scouring their pantry for ingredients to make a concoction of their own. But those efforts can land you in a medical emergency unrelated to COVID-19 should you mix the wrong chemicals together.

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In a letter sent out from one Connecticut town’s office of emergency management, officials warned residents against mixing household bleach and ammonia, as doing so produces a toxic gas called chloramine that could cause shortness of breath and chest pain. Additionally, residents were warned against using household bleach and vinegar, which can produce a chlorine gas that causes coughing, breathing problems, burning and watery eyes.

Residents were also urged to avoid mixing household bleach and rubbing alcohol, as it produces chloroform -- which is highly toxic, and to keep hydrogen peroxide and vinegar separate, as the combination could produce peracetic/peroxyacetic acid, which is a highly corrosive solution.

Should you choose to make your own sanitizer, or possibly turn it into a fun project to do with the kids while everyone is stuck inside, there are plenty of safe ways to do so.

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One such method was shared by Anne Marie Helmenstine, who holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences.

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The ingredients:

2/3 cup 99% rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or ethanol
1/3 cup aloe vera gel
8-10 drops essential oil, optional (such as lavender, vanilla, peppermint or grapefruit)
Bowl and spoon
Funnel
Recycled liquid soap or hand sanitizer bottle

Directions:

Mix the ingredients in a bowl and stir with a spoon. Use the funnel to pour the liquid into the empty bottle.

Fox News' Madeline Farber contributed to this report.