Gas Station Safety
I watched a program about static fires which may occur while refueling @ the gas station.
Here are a few of the key points that were discussed, in the program:
-Always turn your vehicle ignition to the �off� position.
-Never smoke cigarettes while pumping gasoline.
-Never use an open flame near gasoline.
-Always make contact with the metal portion of your car, or with any metal part of the pump machine BEFORE refueling your vehicle. This breaks any static charge connection, which may be present on your person.
-Do NOT reenter/sit in your vehicle once you�ve begun refueling. Doing so presents an opportunity for you to re-create a static charge caused by friction from your car�s upholstery and your clothing.
-Do not use cellular or electronic devices while refueling.
-Should vapors or gasoline, ignite, while you are refueling, do NOT attempt to remove the nozzle from your car�s fuel tank. Demonstrations on this program illustrated that the fire would burn itself out safely within moments if the nozzle were left in place.
-Women apparently are several times more likely to fall victim to static induced fires, because (1) we typically wear nylons (stockings); (2) we tend to wear clothing that contains nylon and other highly flammable synthetics; and (3) we are more likely to get back into our vehicles while refueling, in order to stay warm.
A woman was profiled, on this program, she was refueling her vehicle and sat back inside (thereby creating a static charge). When her car was finished refueling she attempted to remove the nozzle from her fuel tank; unbeknownst to her, she had created a condition for vapors to ignite, via a small static spark. She succeeded in removing the nozzle, from her car�s tank. Within moments fire engulfed the nozzle, the attached hose and the woman. She died 2 days later of complications from 3rd degree burns sustained to over 90% of her body. She was survived by her husband and her children. The husband is now involved in an awareness campaign to educate consumers, to the hazards associated with refueling. His wish is to educate as many people as he can, so that his wife�s death is not in vain.