Rest area employee explains the process

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. - Rest stops are a common spot for families and drivers to stop and take a break. But with two rest stops shut down in Alabama and one in Florida due to an unknown substance found inside soap dispensers, many people are concerned.

That's why Maintenance Worker, Larry Roblin says he's trying to make sure everything at the I-10 East Welcome Center is safe. "We've been checking everything. It looks good so far," he said.

Roblin says he's not surprised someone is putting something into soap dispensers, or that one of the affected locations is just down the road. "There's people that like to pull pranks. So, it's usually paint or graffiti, but it's bad when it's a hazard," Roblin said.

Employees say they look for these four things when checking the dispenser:

• The top to see if its been tampered with
• The level of soap
• The color
• The odor

Roblin recommends that all rest stop visitors check for the same things. "Look around for anything that doesn't feel right," he said. "Just question it. Don't walk into something that looks like a problem."

The substances that were found at the rest stops are still being tested. So far, no injuries have been reported.