Consumer Tips For Proper Gasoline Handling
By Steve Hadder, Florida
Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services
Use Proper Containers
Use only containers approved by a nationally recognized testing lab, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Keep the container tightly sealed. Containers should be fitted with a spout to allow pouring without spilling and to minimize the generation of vapors. Keep gas containers out of direct sunlight. Always open and use gasoline containers in a well-ventilated area away from children and animals.
Store Carefully
Gasoline moves quickly through soil and into groundwater, therefore, store and use gasoline and fuel
equipment as far away from your drinking water well as possible.
Fill Cautiously
If a spill occurs use kitty litter, saw dust or an absorbent towel to soak up the spill, then dispose of it
properly.
Do not dispose of gasoline down the drain, into surface water, onto the ground, or in the trash.
Use your town's household hazardous waste collection for safe and convenient disposal of excess or old
gasoline. Transport your old gas in an approved gasoline container.
Patrons At Filling Stations
When you stop to re-fuel your automobile (or gasoline container):
Turn off your engine.
• Do not smoke or light matches or lighters.
• Stand upwind of the nozzle while refueling and try to not breath the
fumes.
• Do not top off your tank. Even little drips that fall onto the pavement can
contaminate soil, groundwater, or surface water.
• Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the pump is running.
Homeowners And Other Fuel Users
Here are some tips for safe fuel handling at home:
Since many boats are re-fueled while the boat is in the water, the potential for spills and overfills to
contaminate surface water is quite high. Some tips for safe re-fueling include the following:
Do not top off your tank.
Shake the nozzle while it is still in the tank to prevent the last couple of
drops from falling directly into the water.
Keep your engine properly tuned to ensure complete combustion of fuel
and reduce discharge of unburned fuel into the water.
Do not operate motorized watercraft on water supply reservoirs.
Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services
Use Proper Containers
Use only containers approved by a nationally recognized testing lab, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Keep the container tightly sealed. Containers should be fitted with a spout to allow pouring without spilling and to minimize the generation of vapors. Keep gas containers out of direct sunlight. Always open and use gasoline containers in a well-ventilated area away from children and animals.
Store Carefully
- Store no more than ten gallons.
- Be certain to keep a closed cap on your gasoline container.
- Store the gasoline in a cool, dry place.
- Store at ground level, not on a shelf to minimize the danger of falling and spilling.
- Do not store gasoline in a car trunk. There is a threat of explosion from heat and impact.
- Do not store gasoline in your basement.
Gasoline moves quickly through soil and into groundwater, therefore, store and use gasoline and fuel
equipment as far away from your drinking water well as possible.
Fill Cautiously
- Always use a funnel and/or spout to prevent spilling or splashing when fueling
- power mowers, boats, and all other recreational equipment.
- Always fuel outside where there is adequate ventilation to disperse the vapors.
- Fuel equipment on a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt, rather than on
- soil or water.
- Portable tanks from motor boats should be removed from the vessel and filled
- in a secure location onshore. A secondary containment device under the tank
- ensures even better protection.
- Owners of larger boats should install no-spill tank vents.
- Refuel snowmobiles and other gasoline-powered engines onshore and not out
- on frozen lakes and ponds.
If a spill occurs use kitty litter, saw dust or an absorbent towel to soak up the spill, then dispose of it
properly.
- Avoid spilling gasoline on the ground, especially near wells.
- Avoid using small motor boats with two-stroke engines in lakes and reservoirs.
Do not dispose of gasoline down the drain, into surface water, onto the ground, or in the trash.
Use your town's household hazardous waste collection for safe and convenient disposal of excess or old
gasoline. Transport your old gas in an approved gasoline container.
Patrons At Filling Stations
When you stop to re-fuel your automobile (or gasoline container):
Turn off your engine.
• Do not smoke or light matches or lighters.
• Stand upwind of the nozzle while refueling and try to not breath the
fumes.
• Do not top off your tank. Even little drips that fall onto the pavement can
contaminate soil, groundwater, or surface water.
• Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the pump is running.
Homeowners And Other Fuel Users
Here are some tips for safe fuel handling at home:
- Never attempt to start a siphon by mouth
- Only store fuel in approved containers. These containers are usually color
coded and marked for a particular type of fuel. For instance, gasoline
storage containers are usually red and marked "gasoline." Kerosene
containers are blue. - Don't store more than a few gallons of fuel (e.g., 1-5 gallons).
- Be careful to not overfill the tank on yard and recreational equipment.
Just a few ounces of spilled fuel may be enough to contaminate your own
well - Never re-fill a gas tank while a machine is running or while it's still hot.
- Never smoke while re-fueling.
- Never use gasoline to start a charcoal grill or wood fire.
- Dispose of old fuel properly. Do NOT pour fuel onto the ground, or into
storm drains, septic tanks, outhouses, or sewers. - Never use gasoline as a means to control weeds or pests.
Since many boats are re-fueled while the boat is in the water, the potential for spills and overfills to
contaminate surface water is quite high. Some tips for safe re-fueling include the following:
Do not top off your tank.
Shake the nozzle while it is still in the tank to prevent the last couple of
drops from falling directly into the water.
Keep your engine properly tuned to ensure complete combustion of fuel
and reduce discharge of unburned fuel into the water.
Do not operate motorized watercraft on water supply reservoirs.
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