Gasoline-Related Injuries and How to Prevent Them

Gasoline Safety Preventing Gasoline-Related Injuries Developed by: American Burn Association Burn Prevention Committee Developed by: American Burn Association Burn Prevention Committee Funded by: United States Fire Administration/ Federal Emergency Management Agency Funded by: United States Fire Administration/ Federal Emergency Management Agency

Gasoline Safety Fire and Burn Death and Injury  Deaths 4,000 deaths a year from fire and burns  Injuries 25,000 hospitalized in burn centers 600,000 burn injuries treated at hospital ED’s  Deaths 4,000 deaths a year from fire and burns  Injuries 25,000 hospitalized in burn centers 600,000 burn injuries treated at hospital ED’s (Sources:National Fire Protection Association, National Center for Health Statistics)

Gasoline Safety What We Should Know About Gasoline Dangers of gasoline and related products The proper use of gasoline Preventing gasoline injury Immediate injury treatment Dangers of gasoline and related products The proper use of gasoline Preventing gasoline injury Immediate injury treatment

Gasoline Safety The Impact of Gasoline Fires and Injuries 500 fire deaths Several thousand injuries treated at hospitals 6,000+ home fires $450M+ property damage Sources: National Center for Health Statistics National Fire Protection Association 500 fire deaths Several thousand injuries treated at hospitals 6,000+ home fires $450M+ property damage Sources: National Center for Health Statistics National Fire Protection Association

Gasoline Safety Gasoline’s ONLY Proper Use is… … TO POWER ENGINES Gasoline-powered Engines Require a Constant Explosion of Fuel Gasoline-powered Engines Require a Constant Explosion of Fuel

Gasoline Safety Gasoline Should Never Be Used as…. –An accelerant (to a cooking grill or any fire) –A solvent –A cleaning solution –A weed or insect killer –A mind-altering substance –A fuel in devices designed for kerosene –An accelerant (to a cooking grill or any fire) –A solvent –A cleaning solution –A weed or insect killer –A mind-altering substance –A fuel in devices designed for kerosene

Gasoline Safety Usual Initial Source of a Gasoline Explosion “It’s the vapor”

Gasoline Safety Flammable Liquid/Gas Danger Factors Flash Point Vapor Density Flammable Range Accessibility Flash Point Vapor Density Flammable Range Accessibility

Gasoline Safety Danger Factor #1: Flash Point Definition: The temperature at which a product releases vapors that can explode and burn. The lower the flash point, the greater the danger. Flammable: Vapors are released that can explode and burn at temperatures below 100°F (38°C) Combustible: No ignitable vapors are released at temperatures below 100°F (38°C) Definition: The temperature at which a product releases vapors that can explode and burn. The lower the flash point, the greater the danger. Flammable: Vapors are released that can explode and burn at temperatures below 100°F (38°C) Combustible: No ignitable vapors are released at temperatures below 100°F (38°C)

Gasoline Safety Flash Points of Common Liquids and Gases ProductFlash Point FlammablePropane-156°F Gasoline-45°F Turpentine 95°F CombustibleKerosene100°F Paint Thinner105°F Diesel Fuel125°F Safety Solvents °F

Gasoline Safety Danger Factor #2: Vapor Density Definition:The ratio of a product’s vapor to the density of air. (Air = 1) Product Flash Point Vapor Density Propane-156° 1.56 (at 329°F) Gasoline-45°F 3 to 4 Turpentine95°F4.8 Kerosene100°F4.5 Safety solvent °F4.8 Paint thinner 105°F4.9

Gasoline Safety Danger Factor #3: Flammable Range Definition: The range of concentration of a gas or vapor in air, between its lower and upper explosive limits, that will burn if ignited. Beyond this range, products are too lean or too rich for their vapors to ignite Gasoline has a high flammable range (Lower Explosive Limit=1.4 Upper Explosive Limit=7.6) Definition: The range of concentration of a gas or vapor in air, between its lower and upper explosive limits, that will burn if ignited. Beyond this range, products are too lean or too rich for their vapors to ignite Gasoline has a high flammable range (Lower Explosive Limit=1.4 Upper Explosive Limit=7.6)

Gasoline Safety Gasoline-Related Injuries Occur… In outdoor recreation On the job In and around the household In outdoor recreation On the job In and around the household

Gasoline Safety Most Gasoline-Related Injuries Occur… In and around the household  Improper storage or handling  Misuse as cleaning liquid, heater fuel, etc. In and around the household  Improper storage or handling  Misuse as cleaning liquid, heater fuel, etc.

Gasoline Safety Gasoline Vapor Risk Factors Combine Indoors Low flash point (more ignition sources) High density (vapors descend to floor) Wide flammable range (less ventilation) Low flash point (more ignition sources) High density (vapors descend to floor) Wide flammable range (less ventilation)

Gasoline Safety High Risk Areas for Gasoline Vapor Ignition  Basements and Closed Garages - Most likely areas for gasoline storage and use - May have little air movement - May contain ignition sources  Basements and Closed Garages - Most likely areas for gasoline storage and use - May have little air movement - May contain ignition sources

Gasoline Safety Potential Gasoline Vapor Ignition Sources Smoking items (cigarettes and lighters) Heater and furnace pilot lights Refrigerators and freezers (motors may spark when activated by thermostats) Smoking items (cigarettes and lighters) Heater and furnace pilot lights Refrigerators and freezers (motors may spark when activated by thermostats)

Gasoline Safety What Other Liquids and Gases Can Be Dangerous? Propane Kerosene Turpentine Ethanol (grain alcohol) Methanol (wood alcohol) Propane Kerosene Turpentine Ethanol (grain alcohol) Methanol (wood alcohol)

Gasoline Safety Kerosene Heater Dangers Mistaken use of gasoline as fuel Contact or scald injury to young children Combustion of papers placed nearby Ignition of carpets or rugs if saturated from frequent spills Mistaken use of gasoline as fuel Contact or scald injury to young children Combustion of papers placed nearby Ignition of carpets or rugs if saturated from frequent spills

Gasoline Safety Other Household Products Subject to Ignition Under Certain Conditions Products Turpentine and other paint thinners Solvents Tile Adhesive Conditions When the vapor of a large amount of exposed liquid or solid product comes into contact with a spark or other flame source Products Turpentine and other paint thinners Solvents Tile Adhesive Conditions When the vapor of a large amount of exposed liquid or solid product comes into contact with a spark or other flame source

Gasoline Safety Propane and Gas Grill Safety Store propane bottles in well ventilated areas away from house, potential flame sources Check all connections frequently Keep lid open when starting grill Open valve only 1/4 to 1/2 turn before lighting Keep valve closed when not in use Store propane bottles in well ventilated areas away from house, potential flame sources Check all connections frequently Keep lid open when starting grill Open valve only 1/4 to 1/2 turn before lighting Keep valve closed when not in use

Gasoline Safety Charcoal Grills: Safe Lighting Procedure Use only approved lighter/starter fluids Use mitt when lighting coals After soaking the coals with starter fluid –Wait a minute before lighting –Allow vapors to dissipate Use only approved lighter/starter fluids Use mitt when lighting coals After soaking the coals with starter fluid –Wait a minute before lighting –Allow vapors to dissipate

Gasoline Safety Charcoal Grills: Cooking and Extinguishing Keep children away Never add starter fluid to warm or hot coals Keep a water supply handy in case of a fire emergency When extinguishing coals, use ample water Keep children away Never add starter fluid to warm or hot coals Keep a water supply handy in case of a fire emergency When extinguishing coals, use ample water

Gasoline Safety How Can Gasoline-related Burns Be Prevented?  Proper Use  Proper Storage  Proper Fueling Practice  Proper Transportation  Proper Use  Proper Storage  Proper Fueling Practice  Proper Transportation

Gasoline Safety How Should Gasoline Be Stored? In an approved portable container In a small quantity Away from the house or mobile home In a cool, well-ventilated area With a Class B fire extinguisher handy Inaccessible to children In an approved portable container In a small quantity Away from the house or mobile home In a cool, well-ventilated area With a Class B fire extinguisher handy Inaccessible to children

Gasoline Safety An Approved Gasoline Container …  Is: –Bright red –Labeled “GASOLINE” –Small enough to carry Has: –Two tight-fitting caps –The seal of a standards organization  Is: –Bright red –Labeled “GASOLINE” –Small enough to carry Has: –Two tight-fitting caps –The seal of a standards organization

Gasoline Safety How Should Portable Gasoline Containers Be Filled? Place the container on the ground At least 5 feet from engine or power equipment Keep dispensing nozzle in contact with lip of container or fuel tank fill tube Fill slowly Do not fill to capacity Place the container on the ground At least 5 feet from engine or power equipment Keep dispensing nozzle in contact with lip of container or fuel tank fill tube Fill slowly Do not fill to capacity

Gasoline Safety How Should You Transport Gasoline? Use approved container Wipe off any gas spilled on container Secure to prevent sliding, tipping in vehicle Keep filled container in shade Transport filled containers only for short distances Use approved container Wipe off any gas spilled on container Secure to prevent sliding, tipping in vehicle Keep filled container in shade Transport filled containers only for short distances

Gasoline Safety What is “Huffing”? A frequent form of solvent abuse Can result in: –Euphoria –Unsteady walk –Confusion –Long-term physical damage A frequent form of solvent abuse Can result in: –Euphoria –Unsteady walk –Confusion –Long-term physical damage

Gasoline Safety Why is Huffing with Gasoline Especially Dangerous? Gasoline can spill on clothing Cigarette or other flame source may ignite gas vapors or saturated clothing Compromised “huffer” may be unable to extinguish or escape flames Gasoline can spill on clothing Cigarette or other flame source may ignite gas vapors or saturated clothing Compromised “huffer” may be unable to extinguish or escape flames

Gasoline Safety Other Forms of Gasoline Exposure that Present Health Risks Skin Contact Eye Exposure Lung Exposure Swallowing Extensive exposure can affect the entire body system Skin Contact Eye Exposure Lung Exposure Swallowing Extensive exposure can affect the entire body system

Gasoline Safety First Aid for Gasoline Exposure Move victim to fresh air Remove affected clothing, shoes, jewelry Flush minutes with running water Eyes: Blot chemical and flush with water DO NOT induce vomiting; provide water Call and the National Poison Control Center at Move victim to fresh air Remove affected clothing, shoes, jewelry Flush minutes with running water Eyes: Blot chemical and flush with water DO NOT induce vomiting; provide water Call and the National Poison Control Center at

Gasoline Safety First Aid for Gasoline Flame Burns Protect yourself from similar injury Remove victim from flame source Stop burning process by smothering flames Remove burned clothing that does not stick to the body Cool body with running water Cover victim with clean sheet or blanket Call Keep gasoline-saturated clothing and belongings away from ignition sources Protect yourself from similar injury Remove victim from flame source Stop burning process by smothering flames Remove burned clothing that does not stick to the body Cool body with running water Cover victim with clean sheet or blanket Call Keep gasoline-saturated clothing and belongings away from ignition sources

Gasoline Safety In Summary…. Gasoline’s only purpose is to fuel engines Storing gasoline in the house is dangerous Handle, store and transport gasoline safely Wash off or flush gasoline quickly if skin or eyes are exposed to gasoline For flame injuries, follow first aid guidelines Gasoline’s only purpose is to fuel engines Storing gasoline in the house is dangerous Handle, store and transport gasoline safely Wash off or flush gasoline quickly if skin or eyes are exposed to gasoline For flame injuries, follow first aid guidelines

Conclusion Gasoline-Related Burns Are Preventable!