Gas station safety: Experts warn against skipping static discharge step

A crucial step often overlooked when refueling a vehicle could potentially save lives: touching your car after exiting it before pumping gas. Experts explain that the simple act of moving out of a vehicle can generate static electricity.

This accumulated static electricity poses a significant risk at gas stations. If you then proceed to pump fuel, the static discharge from your body to the metal nozzle can create a dangerous spark. Scott Boorse, director of technical programs and affairs at the Institute of Petroleum Equipment (PEI), stated that "this spark is enough to ignite any vapor that might be around the tip of the nozzle."

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The spark is enough to ignite any vapor that might be around the tip of the nozzle.

The PEI has documented approximately 200 incidents related to static electricity at gas pumps since the mid-1990s. Boorse suggests that the actual number of such occurrences is likely higher, as not all minor incidents may be reported. While small sparks are common, fires caused by static electricity are rarer, but the potential for a catastrophic event remains.

To mitigate this risk, it is recommended to touch a metal part of your car away from the fuel pump after exiting and before starting to refuel. This action helps to dissipate any static charge you may have built up, preventing a potentially hazardous spark. This simple preventative measure is vital for ensuring safety at the gas station.

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You get a static discharge from your body into that metal nozzle, and when that happens, there's a possibility of a spark.