The risk of static electricity when you are pumping gas
How you can keep yourself safe
Final word
The risk of static electricity when you are pumping gas
You have likely seen security camera footage of someone pumping gas and a fire suddenly occurring that starts at or near the pump handle. Inevitably, the individual catches fire and, if they do not act quickly, their gas tank can ignite which can be an extremely dangerous disaster.
This is because a static electricity charge caused a flash fire at the gas nozzle. The vast majority of these accidents occur when someone gets back into their car while it is being refueled. What happens is that static electricity is created between your clothes and the car seat. Then, when you get out of your car and grab the fuel pump, a spark occurs which can easily ignite fuel or the fumes from the fuel.
The risk for this occurring is higher when the weather is dry. Hawaii’s weather is usually not too dry, but it can be in some cases. Regardless, the possibility for static electricity causing disaster at the pump is still present. This is why you need to take all the steps necessary to keep yourself and your car safe.
How you can keep yourself safe
Thankfully, keeping yourself safe from a static electricity disaster at the gas pump in Hawaii is straight forward and easy. First, you need to take the most basic safety precautions such as turning your engine off as you refuel, not smoking and not overfilling your gas tank.
Next, you should always remain outside of your vehicle when you are gassing it up. If you do need to enter your car during the refueling process, you will need to neutralize any static electricity you built up on your person before you touch the gas pump again. You can do this by touching the metal of your car door first. If it is a possibility, consider using a full-service gas station where the need for you to pump your own gas will be eliminated entirely.
Finally, if you do find yourself in the situation where a fire does start when you are pumping gas, leave the pump where it is and back away quickly. Immediately get the attention of the gas station attendant.
Final word
It does not happen often, but there is a possibility that static electricity can start a fire when you are pumping gas in Hawaii. This almost always happens when someone re-enters their car as the gas is pumping and a static charge develops from the contact between their clothes and the car seat. You should avoid getting into your car as it is being fueled at all costs. However, if you do need to get back in your car while it is being gassed up, make sure that you eliminate the static charge before you touch the gas pump again. You can easily do this by touching the metal of your car door first.
