Fire Safety Tips While Pumping Gas

When filling up your car with gas, it doesn’t take much of a charge to ignite gasoline vapors.  It could be a cell phone or static electricity.  That’s why motorists are told not to use their cell phone when pumping gas, but what are some other tips?  The NFPA has these safety tips when pumping gas. 

1. Turn off your vehicle’s engine when refueling

2. Don’t smoke, light matches, or use lighters while refueling.

3. Don’t get in and out of your vehicle while refueling.  A static electric charge can develop on your body as you slide across the seat, and when you reach for the pump, a spark can ignite gasoline vapor.

4. If you must get into the vehicle during refueling, discharge any static electricity by touching metal on the outside of the vehicle, away from the filling point, before removing the nozzle from your vehicle.

5. Use only the refueling latch on the gasoline dispenser nozzle, if there is one.  Do not jam the latch with an object to hold it open.

6. To avoid spills, do not top off or overfill your vehicle.

 7. After pumping gasoline, leave the nozzle in the tank opening for a few seconds to avoid drips when you remove it.

8. If a fire starts while you’re refueling, don’t remove the nozzle from the vehicle or try to stop the flow of gasoline.  Leave the area immediately and call for help.