Safety at filling stations!!
DO NOT use your cell phones at gas stations!
Shell Oil Company issues warnings after three incidents where cell phones ignited fumes during fueling operation. In one case, the phone was placed on the car's trunk lid while the person was filling up their gas tank. The cell phone rang and as a result a fire started which destroyed the car and the gas pump! In another incident a person was severely burned in the face because they answered their cell phone while filling up their gas tank which resulted in igniting fumes! Another individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin from having their cell phone in their pocket while refueling and having it ring which caused fumes to ignite.
Mobile phones can ignite fuel or fumes.
Mobile phones that light up when turned on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition.
Mobile phones should never be used in filling stations or when fueling lawn mowers, boats, etc.
Mobile phones should be turned off around materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust such as solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc.
Here are four rules you should follow when filling up:
Turn off your engine
Don't smoke
Don't use your cell phone. Leave it inside your vehicle or turn it off
Don't re-enter your vehicle during fueling (If you absolutely have to get back inside your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure to get out, close the door TOUCHING THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static will be removed from your body before you touch the nozzle. Static created by people getting in their vehicle and back out again without doing this has been known to ignite fumes and cause damaging fires)
STAY SAFE!!