why do we need to turn off our cellphones?

i think its fine to scroll through your phone but not make a call or send a text because its something to do with the signals or something but basically it can cause an explosion beause of all the fumes from the petrol are flammable

I think it's just to be extra careful around the fuel just in case. I haven't noticed that sign on gas stations in our country and no one would turn it of anyway but this is certainly a myth that was tested by mythbusters just can't remember if it was busted or now. It is so to prevent freak accident's just like on planes i think but they are more strict there because if anything goes wrong it's a long way down and many people can die. Have a great day

There is a very slight possibility that the radio energy from a cell phone could induce a spark somewhere between two metals in the gas station - most likely when a phone is active in the vicinity. The combination of a spark and combustible gas would be disastrous. It has happened before (though I can't actually find any reliable references when I search) so it could happen again. It is really very little inconvenience to turn off your phone at a gas station (and you should also do so in hospitals and aircraft in case the signals interfere with sensitive electronic equipment on which lives depend). You have to remember that, even when you are not making a call, your phone may be transmitting because, when it is switched on, it is frequently 'handshaking' with the nearest transmitting masts just so that when you make or receive a call, you are communicating with the nearest and most efficient 'cell'.

The gas is easy to lead to the fire. And I heard that it is easy to cause to a fire or explosive accident if your cellphone gets a call suddenly when you are in the gas station. This is why we shall turn off our cellphones when we are in the gas station. I love China

I dont think so, i never turn off my mobile in anywhere without my wish.

I think it is to do with the radiation from your phone if you were on a call, or sending a text... it's ok to have it switched on, just as long as you are not actually using it... but at a garage there is a warning to say that if you are using your mobile there is a risk that the radiation given from your mobile phone could cause the petrol to ignite, and therefore BOOM big troubles. I remember once whe I was filling up my car, the woman on the next pump to me was actually standing there talking away to someone on her phone, whilst filling her car with petrol... I couldn't believe it. The guy in the garage spoke over the loud speaker to tell her to get off the phone 3 times... and all she did was wave to say hang on a minute... then he came out, and took the phone off her, and had a right go at her.... explaining how by her using her phone could have started a fire, and then the rest of us would have been in trouble... I couldnt believe the ignorance of her.