Hi Everyone!

I received this email from my sister and thought I'd share it with you.

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Bob Renkes of Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of "static" 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 and they went back to pull the nozzle out 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 reentered and the nozzle was touched during refueling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulting in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the
customer.

8) Seventeen fires that 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. Once here, click in the
center of the screen where it says "Stop Static".

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.

Hi Cristina,

Thanks a bunch for this!! I have been telling others the exact same thing for a long time and the responses I usually get is "naaah, nooo way, you're kidding, right?" Now I can print this out and show them.

Every once in a while I still see people leave their car running or smoking a cigarette while refueling . Geez, doesn't take a rocket scientist to know better.

Now if we can just come up with some kind of invention to get rid of the static at the gas pumps. Maybe on the lines of a static wrist guard like computer technicians use to get rid of the static when working inside a computer or an anti static mat. Hmmmm, just doing some brainstorming here . Ben Franklin, where are you when I need you?

Thanks again for the info...
Sabra

Cristina...thanks for bringing this to our attention...*sigh*...I guess I never really realized the dangers that are possible while filling up the car...But now because of your thoughtful sharing, I will be much more aware and alert!....(that's what this site ia all about...love and sharing)

Luv,
Rainbow~