Each year, over a million burn injuries and 4,500 fatalities occur due to gasoline fires. A 26-year-old man recently died from burn injuries he received from a gasoline fire at a gas station in Frederick, Maryland. He was filling up his SUV when he and his vehicle burst into flames. He was not smoking while pumping gas. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.
Earlier this year, another man caught fire at a gas station in Arizona. The man suffered burns one 10 percent of his body.
In March 2009, a woman in Colorado was killed after a gasoline pump caught fire and exploded. Another person was injured. The pump exploded after an SUV ran into it. The driver was charged with careless driving involving a death.
Most people don’t consciously consider safety when pumping gas, but these stories illustrate the importance of safety precautions at the gas tank. Even a slight spark can ignite gasoline fumes and cause a fire.
Follow these safety tips to prevent gasoline fire burn injures:
– Always turn off your vehicle before refueling.
– Never smoke, light a match, or play with a lighter while pumping gas.
– Never leave the gas pump unattended.
– Don’t try to top off your tank. This could cause a spill.
– Never try to engineer your own hold-open latch on a gas pump that’s missing one.
– Only use approved containers when dispensing and storing gasoline. Gasoline can leak through many types of unapproved containers. Always place the container on the ground when refueling, and keep the nozzle in contact with the container to avoid ignition of fumes through static electricity.
– Never attempt to siphon gasoline with your mouth.
– Don’t let children handle gasoline.
– If you store gasoline at home, only keep the minimum amount. There’s not need to have multiple containers of gasoline sitting around your home.
– Never try to use gasoline for cleaning.
– Don’t use gasoline to start a fire or a grill. Other fire-starter liquids are safer and more effective. Never pour gasoline on piles of raked leaves!
– Don’t handle gasoline near a flame or heat source.
Children between the ages of 10 and 14 are the most likely group to suffer gasoline injuries. Keep your eyes on your adolescents and talk to them about gasoline safety. Children under the age of 5 are also at high risk. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year approximately 1,300 children under the age of 5 receive gasoline fire burn injuries.
Some gasoline fires are caused by driver negligence. Others may be caused by negligence on the part of business owners or gasoline companies. If you have suffered burn injuries in a gasoline fire due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to recovery and monetary compensation. Contact a Georgia personal injury lawyer to learn about your legal rights. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule your free consultation.