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Plano Fire Department Fire and Life Safety Education Safety Tip—February 2008 Burn Awareness 2008: Preventing Gasoline Burns This year Burn Awareness Week is February 3rd through 9th.  The focus of this year’s campaign is preventing gasoline burns. Gasoline, when ignited in a controlled manner to power engines, serves a very useful purpose.  Because it is so commonplace we sometimes take its presence for granted.  It is important to remember, however, that the same quality of explosive ignition that makes gasoline to valuable as a fuel can cause terrible life-threatening injuries when it is handled carelessly or in a manner for which it is not intended.   Gasoline and flammable liquid-related burns are a preventable problem! It is estimated that in the United States each year: • There are a total of over 140,000 gasoline-related fires, including 120,000 vehicles (most unoccupied, fortunately). • There are over 6,000 gasoline-related residential fires. • About 500 people die from gasoline-related injuries. • Thousands of people visit hospital emergency rooms and/or are hospitalized for gasoline-related injuries. • Nearly $500 million in direct property damage costs are incurred due to gasoline-related fires. There are two simple rules regarding gasoline: 1. Gasoline has only ONE function: to fuel an engine.  Never use gasoline as a cleaning fluid or solvent. 2. Gasoline should never be used or stored indoors or in close proximity to sources of heat or flame. Most gasoline injuries are avoidable through proper use and storage of gasoline. Gasoline Use:   • Do use gasoline only to fuel an engine. • Do remember that gasoline vapors can be ignited by a spark, flame, or other source of heat that is located many feet away. • Don’t use gasoline to light a barbecue grill or to start or accelerate a fire. • Don’t use gasoline as a cleaning fluid or solvent. Handling Gasoline: • Do handle gasoline in a responsible manner. • Do remember that an engine that is still warm can ignite gasoline vapors.  Only add gasoline when an engine is completely cool. • Don’t allow children to touch gasoline or a gasoline container, even under supervision. • Don’t handle gasoline near a flame source such as matches, lighters, pilot lights on stoves and water heaters. • Don’t use gasoline indoors. • Don’t siphon gasoline by mouth.  It is harmful or fatal if swallowed. • Don’t induce vomiting if gasoline is swallowed.  Instead, seek medical attention. • If gasoline is spilled on clothes, remove them immediately.  Place clothing outdoors for several days before washing and drying so the gasoline vapors can evaporate. Storing Gasoline: • Do store gasoline only in an approved gasoline container. • Do store gasoline in a well-ventilated outside storage area that is not attached to your home, such as a shed or garage, preferably in a locked cabinet.  Be sure there are no ignition sources nearby. • Do place the gasoline container out of reach of children. • Don’t store gasoline in a glass jar, milk jug, or any other non-approved container. • Don’t store gasoline near a source of heat or sparks, such as a water heater, furnace, clothes dryer or any appliance that uses a pilot light. About Gasoline Containers: • Do check gasoline containers for compliance with the ASTM F852 standard which establishes performance requirements for portable gasoline containers intended for use by consumers.  This compliance is indicated in writing on either side or the underside of all approved plastic gasoline containers. • Don’t put anything other than gasoline in a gasoline container. • Don’t drink anything out of a gasoline container. A children’s coloring book about gasoline safety can be downloaded at the following link: http://www.shrinershq.org/files/baw/pdf/coloring_book_pdf.pdf If you have any questions concerning fire and life safety information please contact the Plano Fire Department at 972-941-7421 or peggyha@plano.gov.