Every year gas station fires occur when drivers refuel their cars. These dangerous fires result in property damage, injury and death.
The video, below, has been out for some time, now, but is very important. STATIC ELECTRICITY IS A SERIOUS FIRE DANGER for drivers fueling their cars at self service gas pumps and is the cause of most gas station refueling fires. ALWAYS touch something metal before refueling to ground yourself (setting up the gas pump will do this). NEVER get back in your car until you have completed fueling, have replaced the fuel nozzle and closed up your gas tank cover.
Watch carefully as the young lady in this video returns to her car after initiating fueling and takes her feet off the ground. By doing so, her body built up static electricity that was present inside her car. Because she, then, did not touch any metal object prior to putting her hand on the fuel nozzle, the static electricity in her body discharged on the nozzle, igniting the volatile gas fumes that are always present during refueling.
Cell phone use during refueling is also a fire risk, as radio waves emitted from your phone can also ignite the dangerous gas fumes. Although some states do not require warnings about cell phone usage during fueling, you should NEVER use your cell phone while fueling.
Gasoline is a very volatile liquid. Because we all grow up around it and see it every day, we often don't realize how very dangerous it is. Always handle gasoline with great care and respect!
Watch carefully as the young lady in this video returns to her car after initiating fueling and takes her feet off the ground. By doing so, her body built up static electricity that was present inside her car. Because she, then, did not touch any metal object prior to putting her hand on the fuel nozzle, the static electricity in her body discharged on the nozzle, igniting the volatile gas fumes that are always present during refueling.
Cell phone use during refueling is also a fire risk, as radio waves emitted from your phone can also ignite the dangerous gas fumes. Although some states do not require warnings about cell phone usage during fueling, you should NEVER use your cell phone while fueling.
Gasoline is a very volatile liquid. Because we all grow up around it and see it every day, we often don't realize how very dangerous it is. Always handle gasoline with great care and respect!
[My thanks to Jennie Montoya whose e-mail inspired this article]
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