We provide this free safety resource to visitors of the Community Room of SeniorSSuperStoreS in an effort to keep baby boomers, seniors and the elderly informed of matters that can affect their lifestyle.

Use Care With Cell Phones

The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations.

In the first case, the phone was placed on the car’s trunk lid during fueling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the gasoline pump.

In the second, an individual suffered severe burns to her face when fumes ignited as she answered a call while refueling her car.

And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in his pocket, rang while he was fueling his car.

Remember that mobile phones can ignite fuel or fumes. Mobile phones that light up when switched on, or when they ring, release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition. Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations, or when fueling lawn mowers, boats, etc.

Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned off, around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust, i.e., solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc.

Fires at Gas Pumps

Another related topic for safe refueling regards static electricity causing fires at gas pumps.

The Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of "static electricity" at gas pumps. The Institute has researched 150 other cases of these fires, and the results were very surprising:

1) Out of 150 cases, almost all of them were women.

2) Almost all cases involved the person getting back in their vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping gas; when finished and they went back to pull the nozzle out, the fire started as a result of static.

3) Most had on rubber-soled shoes.

4) Most men never get back in their vehicle until completely finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires.

5) Don’t ever use cell phones when pumping gas.

6) It is the vapors that come out of the gas that cause the fire when exposed to static charges.

7) There were 29 fires where the vehicle was reentered and the nozzle was touched during refueling. Some resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.

8) Seventeen fires occurred before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and before fueling began.

The Petroleum Equipment Institute stresses to NEVER get back into your vehicle while filling it with gas. If you absolutely HAVE to get in your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure you get out and close the door, TOUCHING THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be discharged before you remove the nozzle.

As mentioned earlier, The Petroleum Equipment Institute, along with several other companies now, are really trying to make the public aware of this danger. You can find out more information by going to www.pei.org. Once there, click on the link that says "Stop Static."

We encourage you to please send this information on to all of your family and friends, especially those who have kids in the car with them while pumping gas. If this were to happen to them, they may not be able to get the children out in time.

In summary, here are the Five Rules for Safe Refueling

1) Turn off the car's engine;
2) Don’t smoke;
3) Don’t use your cell phone - leave it inside the vehicle or, preferably, turn it off;
4) Don’t reenter your vehicle during fueling; and,
5) Don't expose the gas fumes to any sort of static electricity!