Static Electricity Fires at the Gas Pump

A woman who was badly burned in a refueling fire created this program to
help you understand the potential dangers of handling gasoline and refueling
vehicles. As a result of participating in this program, you will learn:

1. How to handle, store, and dispose of gasoline safely.
2. How static electricity can affect refueling your car.
3. Safety guidelines for refueling a vehicle.

What Is Gasoline?

Gasoline is a flammable liquid and should be stored at room temperature,
away from potential heat sources such as the sun, hot water heater, furnace or
space heater, and other ignition sources. Gasoline vapors are heavier than air
and can travel along the floor to ignition sources. The vapors are highly
flammable. Therefore, gasoline should be stored more than 50 feet away from
appliance pilot lights or igniters.

Handling and Storing Gasoline

Approved containers or tanks are a must for storing gasoline.
Storage in anything other than an approved container is strictly
prohibited by fire prevention codes.
Storage of gasoline requires precautions for spill cleanup.
Minor spills should be absorbed with kitty litter, an absorbent clay
material available at all auto parts store, paper, or rags. Larger
spills should be contained and collected. Check with your local
government or hazardous waste disposal center to determine the proper
avenues for disposing of spilled gasoline. NEVER dispose of spilled gasoline or
cleaning materials on the ground or in your garbage, drains, toilets, or sewers.
This could cause a fire, or the gasoline could seep into streams, lakes, or
groundwater.

Read more: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/cfs/programs/gaspump/resources/gaspump-handout-long.pdf