Static Electricity

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I think this is such an informative and interesting article that it was worth quoting from Snopes. Was this article helpful? 150 cases were researched and the findings were as follows: Out of 150 cases, almost all of them were women. 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 the static. Most had on rubber-soled shoes. Most men never get back in their vehicle until finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires. Don't ever use cell phones when pumping gas. It is the vapors that come out of the gas that cause the fire, when connected with static charges. 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. Seventeen fires occurred before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and before fueling began.