Gasoline Fire Safety Tips: How to Handle Gasoline
Gasoline is an important part of our day-to-day lives. We use it almost every day to fuel our cars and trucks, as well as our lawnmowers, weed trimmers, a variety of off-road vehicles, portable electric generators and more. However, gasoline is highly flammable and can be extremely dangerous if not handled or stored safely. Plenty of fire cases happened to vehicles are caused by gasoline. Following these Gasoline fire safety tips will help protect you and your family.
- Turn off the vehicle’s engine. If towing a trailer or recreational vehicle, turn off all possible ignition sources, such as a heater, stove, propane refrigerator or pilot lights.
- Never smoke or operate any personal electronic devices during refueling. This includes cell phones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and electronic games. Leave all electronic equipment in your vehicle.
- Never leave the nozzle unattended. Never jam the refueling latch on the pump nozzle in the open position with any object.
- Do not get back into your vehicle while refueling – static electricity could generate a spark especially during the dry winter months. If you cannot avoid re-entering your vehicle during fueling, discharge any static electricity by touching a metal portion of the vehicle, away from the filling point, such as the car door, before touching the gas pump nozzle.
- To avoid spills, do not overfill your tank. Remember to leave room in your tank for expansion, especially during the hot summer months.
- Report any spills immediately to the gasoline station attendant.
- In the event of a fire at the pumps, do not attempt to remove the nozzle from the vehicle. Leave the area immediately and inform the station attendant to call 999.
With safety caution, everything should be fine. Other than that, these are some of the gasoline safety guidelines that you should be considered to be extra careful when handling gasoline.
- Always store gasoline in an approved container, in a cool, well-ventilated secure area away from any heat or ignition sources. Never store gasoline inside the home. Store it in a detached garage or shed. Only store the minimum amount of gas required. Do not store gasoline in a vehicle.
- Always keep gasoline away from children.
- Never siphon gasoline by mouth. Gasoline can be harmful or fatal if swallowed. If gasoline is swallowed, never induce vomiting – seek medical attention immediately.
- Use gasoline as a motor fuel only. Never use gasoline as a cleaning agent, degreaser or to clean your hands.
- Never refuel lawnmowers, weed trimmers, rototillers or any other piece of equipment while it is still hot.
- Never use gasoline in place of kerosene or charcoal lighting fluid.
- Never use water on a gasoline fire (Class B fire). The use of water will spread the fire.
- Do not discard gasoline onto the ground, into a sewer, street drain or any waterway. Refer to Waste Management Association of Malaysia (WMAM) for safe disposal.
- Do not use gasoline as a weed killer or pesticide.
