WARNING FROM SHELL OIL COMPANY
Please send this information to ALL your family &
friends, especially those who have kids in the
car with them while pumping gas. If this were to
happen, they may not be able to get the children
out in time
MUST READ, EVEN IF YOU DON'T OWN A CAR.
Shell Oil Comments - A MUST READ!
Safety Alert!
Here are some reasons why we don't
allow cell phones in operating areas, propylene
oxide handling and storage area, propane, gas
and diesel refueling areas.
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 their face when fumes ignited as
they answered a call while refueling their car!
And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin
as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in
their pocket, rang while they were fueling their car.
You should 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, boat, 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...)
TO sum it up, here are the Four Rules for Safe Refueling:
1) Turn off engine
2) Don't smoke
3) Don't use your cell phone - leave it inside the
vehicle or turn it off
4) Don't re-enter your vehicle during fueling.
Bob Renkes of 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. His company has
researched 150 cases of these fires.
His 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, they went
back to pull the nozzle out and the fire
started, as a result of a static spark from their bodies from sliding out of the vehicle .
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 re-entered and the nozzle was
touched during refueling from a variety of makes
and models. 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.
Mr. Renkes 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, 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 are really trying
to make the public aware of this danger.
I ask you to please send this
information to ALL 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.
Thanks for passing this along.