1.800.473.5772

1114 Main Street
Buhl, Idaho 83316
(208) 543-6464
(208) 734-9210

Hours of Operation
M-F 8:00 to 5:30

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    Four Rules for Safe Refueling

1. Turn off your engine.
2. Don’t Smoke
3. Don’t use your cell phone. Leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off.
4. Don’t reenter your vehicle during fueling.

The following cases show how cell phones can ignite 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 their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while refueling their car.

The third case, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in their pocket, rang while the were fueling their car.

You should also know 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 fumes or dust (i.e. solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc.).

It is also interesting to note:

1. Almost all cases involved women.
2. Almost all cases involved the person getting back into their vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping gas, when finished and they went back to pull the nozzle out, and 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 connected with static charges.
7. There were 29 fires where the vehicle was reentered and the nozzle was touched during refueling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulting in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.
8. Seventeen fires that occurred before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and before fueling began.
   
   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, 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 ever remove the nozzle.
   
   The Petroleum Equipment Institute, along with several other companies now, are really trying to make the public aware of this danger.