5 Very Important Rules of Gas Stations We Should Not Break

There are regulations that all individuals must adhere to when refilling their vehicle's gas tank at service stations. It's essential to reinforce safety standards to every customer to ensure the protection of lives and prevent potential hazards.

Not only drivers should be aware of the warning signs printed all over the gasoline station – everybody should. We must take extra precautions when entering a gas or filling station. These stations are dangerous not only to you but to everybody present on the place. One simple careless mistake can blow the gas station and burn many people alive.

Basic rules to follow:

1. NO SMOKING
2. TURN OFF ENGINE WHILE FILLING
3. TURN OFF YOUR CELLPHONES
4. USE APPROPRIATE CONTAINERS ONLY
5. NO STRADDLING WHILE FILLING

Since there’s an increase occurrence of static-related fires, gasoline stations post warnings about the don’ts when refueling. Static electricity is one of the most common causes of fires and movement is the most common generator of static. It is prohibited to use open flames and mobile phones while on the filling station because of the risk of igniting gasoline vapor.

A running vehicle while filling it with gas can present numbers of “ignition sources” for fuel vapor. There are also cases of incident that people uses mobile phones on gas stations were burned to death or suffered burns while their vehicle was severely damaged.

Mobile phone companies print on their mobile phone handbook guide not to use the product when inside chemical factories, gas stations or fuel storage sites because of its capacity to ignite a spark. This can be generated by the high-powered battery inside the mobile phones.

Using containers not appropriate for gas, diesels and fuels can make these gases escape and may be hazardous to health. Most fuel containers are designed to fill until 80% so to allow expansion of gases based on temperature change.

One must only use containers that are securable to prevent it from being tampered and have a proper lids and seals to prevent leaks and spills. If you refuel containers, make sure that items are removed from the vehicle and placed on the ground.

This issue is not very new to us and I know that people were all aware that gas/fuels combine with fire or electricity can really make a spark and worst-case scenario, can blow up a filling station.

But why there are many drivers not following those very, very simple and basic rules when refueling? I have experienced it countless of times when we had to drop by at a gas station to refuel and the driver just kept the engine running while the station employee refuel the vehicle. Some passengers would make a text or calls same time.

Come on, can’t you do your text and calls later on? We’re not going to stay at this station for years, only minutes. There were signs posted but they were just like blinds that you have to hit their heads first. Even common sense would tell us to turn off the cell phones or stop the engine first.

Nevertheless, even stations employees never asked drivers to turn off their engine first before they can refill the tank. They should be taught to ask drivers politely as well as passengers’ to avoid the risk of fire.

I believe that the employees should be trained first on dos and don’ts while serving a customer refilling his tank. But countless of times I’ve been experiencing these scenarios and nobody dared to ask or inform their customers. They should be the one to proactively advise preventive measures while on the gas station.

Passengers should also act quickly when he knows or sees someone using mobile phones inside the vehicle. They could ask politely to turn it off first. Anyway, it’s just a matter of minutes before the vehicle will hit the road again.They should also inform drivers that it’s prohibited to leave the engine running while refilling as it may cause a spark.

Failure to enforce these standards to motorists would be like a failure to their duty to maintain a safe and danger-free workplace for customers. Safety standard should be reminded to every customer so as to ensure we are not endangering any lives. Everybody should really follow these simple rules of gas stations to avoid injury and deaths of innocents’ people who might happen to be in the place. It’s a very simple act and may save lives.

It is better that we always follow rules for our own safety. It’s not only yourself you’re endangering but the lives of others too who might want to live. We should not forget that gas stations are potentially dangerous place. Don’t take risks when you know that it can happen. It’s better to be safe than sorry. One careless mistake can really endanger a life. Always take responsibility of your actions to avoid accidents.