Be Safe ...

Warning citing three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations.

In the first case, the phone was placed on the car'* 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.
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 < http://www.pei.org/ < http://www.pei.org/ > > Once here, click in the center of the screen where it says "Stop Static".

getting in and out of a car, mainly with cloth seats can cause frictin and static electricity. that may cause a spark when fueling too.

Most stations have signs up saying stay off the cell phone

most of the cases were the people entering and exititng the car while fueling? and on the cell phone/

This has been proven FALSE! Anyone who watches discovery knows that.

Rubbing on any seat, which happens on every exit, creates static electricity. If you don't ground yourself on the car body, there'* a chance you could spark. Like you said they nearly all involved women. It'* because women are more likely to re-enter the vehicle during fueling. Whenever I fil up, I make a point to touch the car (not the door). I've used cell phones @ gas stations.

Believe what you want, but to start a fire, you need fuel, air, and spark. Most cell phones don't spew fuel or air, and they shouldn't spark.

On the way to canada, a guy in some old sport coupe by us left it running...

but if it does catch fire you do not want to pull the hose out of the nozzle

ALrighty then! I guess that'* the final word on that matter, huh? But if I read about some dude talking on his cell phone and his car explodes, i'll try not to laugh to hard

Like the old addage, "better safe than sorry" Thanx for the report, it was interesting, and u never know, it just might save someones life someday, or their car.

I've seen video footage of this very thing happening. The fumes is what is the most dangerous. It could cause static and if you are outside you have all the makings of fumes, static, and air. There are very reputable reports on this matter.

For more info click on the link provided. It has all kinds of information on this subject.

Getting in and out is true- it could when it'* dry out make a static charge big enf to light the fumes but the cell phone is complete and total BS! .25mw is too small of a RF signal to create any kind of charge. ALL CB'* put out 4W and they don't have a warning about them. It'* the net run wild and if you want to know more check out www.snopes.com for all your is this a BS e-mail needs.