How To Pump Gas Safely
64Beware Of The Dangers
The Warning Signs
As I researched this topic I was well aware of this many months ago thanks to an e-mail warning I received from a friend.
I felt that with the holidays upon us, it warrants attention now more than ever.
We are all aware of the warning signs we see everyday as we fuel our vehicles such as; No Smoking, Turn Off Engine, and No Cell Phone use.
It's very easy to let them slip your mind with the holiday stress, in a hurry maybe for a important meeting, or going to the many office Christmas parties this time of year.
A Visual Reminder
And Then It Happens!
Sometimes we get distracted like I have mentioned above. And sometimes we need a graphic reminder to see the light.
On December 6th this incident took place in Kentucky. Everything was caught on tape, go ahead and watch it, and then I'll discuss why these warnings are in place.
Why It Happened.
After watching the man in the video can you tell what he did wrong? If you answered everything except light a cigarette you're right!
Unfortunately he didn't turn off his engine, he was talking on his cell phone and got in and out of his car while he fueled it.
Now let's discuss why what he did was so wrong.
NO SMOKING
This is the biggest no-brainer it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out fire and gasoline do not mix! At least this is one thing he wasn't guilty of.
TURN OFF ENGINE
This may be a hassle to do depending on the time of year, you don't want to turn off your air conditioning or your heater. But believe me the potential hazard that could be avoided is huge. If the gasoline vapors decide to tangle with the ignition source, BOOM!
NO CELL PHONE USE
Ok, this is probably the biggest and most debated issue of all these warnings. The Petroleum Equipment Institute has stated there is no documentation found that a cell phone has ever been responsible for a fire at the pump. But they do recommend not using your cell phone during fueling because it is a distraction.
So you be the judge, I myself will never use one at the pump, nor will I have it on me during fueling in case someone would call. I leave it in the car.
DO NOT GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR
This by far is the biggest culprit behind most car fires at the pump. STATIC ELECTRICITY, remember when you shuffle across the carpet and you touch some metal and you get zapped? Or maybe you felt it when you touch your car door handle, especially in the cold or dry weather? Well that's it.
You definitely don't want to feel this when you're around such an explosive substance as gasoline. Entering and exciting a vehicle can contribute to the build up of this electric charge.
So if you're ever in doubt, all you have to do is touch any metal on your vehicle to discharge the static before you even touch the pump.
Luckily the man in the video walked away unharmed. He lived to see another holiday, as I hope you and your family will too! Just be reminded of these simple warnings and take the time to enforce them.
CommentsLoading...
Good hub. I had no idea. I'm one of those sad women who up until recently didn't know how to pump my own gas :-)
Thank goodness I haven't done any of the "wrong" things you mentioned. Definitely info worth passing along. Thanks!
Hi Green Lotus, thanks for the comment. I agree they need to quit making it so convenient to stand there and smoke and talk. Thanks K.
Hey pdd I appreciate the comment. Ha! thats funny, I'm afraid you're not alone on pumping gas. :) Be careful and thanks for spreading the word. K.
hi Kerry, better be safe than regretting later, you are definitely right here, thanks, and hows your day going, miss you in the forum now, not feeling well also, snow there yet in MIchigan? take care, Maita
Hi K, this is really true. This hub is useful in order to prevent further accidents. You are right. We often forget these things. This serves as a reminder to all readers.
Have a great weekend!
Hi Maita, thanks for the comment. Sorry you're not feeling well, get better soon. K.
Hi Tina, thanks for coming by. Yeah people really need to be cautious, and concentrate on what they are doing. You have a great weekend too K.
You're right... no phone call is worth blowing yourself up and out of your coverage zone. LOL. Great post!
Hey carolina, you got that right! Thanks for the comment. K.
you're right...many of us are complacent during the holidays! good hub!
Thanks drej for stopping by. Yep people need to pay attention for sure. I can see where they get side tracked during the holidays. K.
Good hubb , here in Oregon we don't pump our own gas , but people still sit in their cars and smoke and talk on cell phones which I think is ridiculous also and can still cause a fire. Was working at a store in NC when a person set the pump on lock to fuel up and when taking it out didn't take the lock off and drenched himself with gasoline, boy was that a scary one
Hey Starme, great comment. I know some people just don't get it. I guess when they're blown to the next county they'll get it huh? :) Thanks K.
Thanks for the info. You always see the warnings, but sometimes became complacent, takes a little wake up call!
Hey BF thanks for the comment, you're right need to remind people of the warnings every now and then. K.
good points, It's something we don't always think of.
Hi TFT thanks for stopping. Yup you're right need to pay more attention for sure. K
So true Kerry, we get caught up with our "busies" that we forget the basics of safety. Thanks for the reminders!
Hi Beth, nice to see you here. Yep, have to get back to basics. Thanks K.
Good info. I have to remind myself about not getting in and out of the vehicle...I'm always tempted to get back in during cold weather.
Hey mulberry nice to see you, you're right we are tempted to get in and out it's a easy mistake to make.....thanks K.
very informative.. :D/ COol avatar :)..
Nikki Thank you for the comment and stopping by. K.
Excellent and informative. Tell ya how I pump gas safely...I send one of my boys down to the station to fill up. I have 5. 1 or 2 of 'em are for spare parts. For some reason they don't like that joke. Great hub.
Ha! Good one Tobey, I appreciate the comment. I actually use to do that too when my boys were home. I tried getting my wife to do it......no go! K.
Very good information.
Thanks Pam hope it reminds people to be aware. K.
Really Great Hub!!!! Very Informative!!!
Daytona
As a qualified Electronic Engineer, I think the cell phone use thing is horse pooh - to get a spark you need to ionize the air which needs something like 3 million volts per meter, and that takes some serious voltage which is way far above what a cell phone can generate from the antenna. You could stupidly take the battery out and rub it on wire-wool though - that would spark. But static electricity is definitely the nasty one and most likely to happen. Petrol in liquid form is not flammable, but the oxygen-mixed vapor is what can set light from the spark from a static electricity discharge. A static electricity build up comes from electrons building up or depleting from the clothes in your body. If there is sufficient insulation between you and ground, then this builds up a charge ( known as Q ). Q will not leak away much on dry air, and it builds up quickly from certain fabrics - mainly things like nylon - and it's women's clothes that are more likely to be made from materials that build up a charge easily. When you touch something grounded, all this charge dissipates very rapidly. The voltage (V) is related to the charge (Q) by a measure known as capacitance (C). Q = C.V. So what happens is Q is stored, C is dependent on your relationship with the ground and V is the resulting voltage difference between you and the ground. Rearranging this equation gives V = Q/C
Since Q is a fixed charge, as you move about, C changes. As C gets SMALLER, V gets bigger. Capacitance goes UP the closer you are to the ground, and down the further away you are. i.e. stood up --> big voltage, crouched down --> smaller voltage.
So the best way to discharge yourself on a dry possibly windy day while wearing static-generating clothing is to get out of the car, crouch down, touch the ground. Then stand up and touch the car. You are less likely to get zapped.
Finally, NEVER let go of the pump handle, move around an then touch it again while it is filling. You can see why, as this is the point when you have vapor, a new static build up, low capacitance, and the chance of an ionizing spark. When you put the pump unit back, touch the car body some way away from the petrol tank before putting the cap on.
Hi Daytona, thank you for stopping by. Glad you thought it informative. K.
Thanks Manna, for the great comment. My words exactly! :)
What a fantastic idea for a hub!!!!!!!!!!!
I have always been terrified pumping gas-truly
Thanks for taking that fear away
xo
Kimberly
Hi Kim, yup, pretty important info, people just don't think about. Glad you stopped by.K.
Very good topic to write and inform others about. Nicely done - well researched and put together with a really nice writing style to boot! Very impressive work! Look forward to your future hubs. A+! work.
Green Lotus Level 6 Commenter 2 years ago
Very important Hub K. Thank you so much for posting. Here in GA they've started putting the warning sign not to get in the car while fueling. Maybe they should also get rid of those "convenient" pump levers that keep you pumping hands free (so you can smoke and talk on the cell phone!)