Watch Jefferson County

> Subject: Cell Phones and Static Electricity Fire Hazard in Car
> and Home
>
>
> 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
> 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 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.
>
> As I mentioned earlier, The Petroleum Equipment Institute,
> along with several other companies now, are really trying to make the
> public aware of this danger. You can find out more information by
> going to . Once here, click in the center of
> the screen where it says "Stop Static".