An Australian man almost became a candidate for the Darwin Awards when he decided to test his lighter while filling up his car at a gas station.
Predictably, the fuel ignited and a fire began rapidly spreading. Fortunately, a quick thinking attendant shut off the gas flow and called authorities while a motorist at another pump doused the flames with water, averting disaster.
Now, we're sure that you know better than to do something like this, but this should serve as a reminder to all of us that gas stations are places to practice safety first. Here are some tips to help you out:
1. Do not smoke where gasoline is handled or stored.
You saw what happened to the gentleman in the video above when he tested his lighter. Just don't do it. Wait ten minutes until you're done at the gas station and then light up.
2. Do not use cell phones or other electronic devices while refueling.
Electronic devices can emit electrical charges while they are in use, which could potentially ignite the gasoline fumes around the nozzle. Leave them in the car until you've finished filling up.
3. Do not reenter your car while refueling.
Getting in and out of your car can cause static electricity to build up in your body, especially when in cold climates. If you have to reenter your car, make sure to get rid of that excess charge by touching a metallic part on the outside of your vehicle before you remove the nozzle.
4. Do not top-off.
Gas pumps are programmed to shut off when the tank is full. Don't overdo it and risk a spill.
5. If a fire occurs, leave the nozzle in the fill pipe.
In the event of a flash fire, don't try to remove the nozzle. Just back away from your vehicle and notify the attendent so they can shut off the flow of gasoline. If no attendent is available, there will be an emergency intercom that you can use to call for help.
Sign in to post
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Continue