Gasoline and Flammable Substance Safety
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- Gasoline and flammable substances are involved in one-third of all burn center admissions and nearly one-fifth of all burn-related deaths in Oklahoma.
- Gasoline-related burns are often caused by gasoline being thrown on a fire or ignited by a match; this is a serious problem, usually involving bonfires, trash, or brush.
- Gasoline vapors are heavier than air and can flow invisibly along the ground for a considerable distance and be ignited by a flame or spark.
- Gasoline that has been spilled on clothes or a person’s body can be ignited just by walking near a fire.
- It is illegal to burn trash in an area where trash collection services are available.
- Recycle, compost, and use tree clippings as mulch to reduce the use of brush fires.
- Gasoline should never replace charcoal lighter fluid to ignite fires.
- Gasoline can produce vapors that can ignite at all temperatures, even at 45°F below zero. In comparison, charcoal lighter fluid does not produce vapors unless the temperature is over 160°F.
- Teach children:
- never to use or play with gasoline or other flammable liquids;
- about the hazardous properties of gasoline and other flammable liquids;
- never to use or play with matches or lighters;
- life-saving techniques like stop, drop, and roll.
- Never use gasoline to:
- start or restart a fire;
- clean greasy engine parts;
- thin paint or clean brushes.
- Properly store gasoline:
- use approved gasoline safety containers (non-approved containers can explode and leak the gasoline);
- never store gasoline inside the home;
- do not store gasoline near hot water tanks or furnaces in the garage.
- When fueling engines:
- refuel lawn mowers and other engines only after they are off and have cooled;
- only refuel outside the home in a well-ventilated area;
- never re-enter your vehicle while fueling at a gas station.
Injury Prevention Service, OSDH, 1000 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117
Revised February 2012
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