Use care when filling lawn mowers, chain saws and other power tools with gasoline. Don't refill a power tool with the engine running or while the manifold is hot. Use a funnel to pour the gas to avoid overfilling and spilling. If gasoline is spilled, allow it to vaporize completely. This will maintain a dry surface and reduce the chance of ignition. Never fill gasoline in a confined space, indoors or in a closed garage. Never smoke around gasoline or other flammable liquids. Do not use it as a cleaning solvent or to remove grease and oil from automotive parts, your hands or clothing. Many people are seriously burned each year from these mistakes. Do not pour gasoline or other flammable liquids down the sink or into a storm drain. This creates an explosion potential.
Do not store gasoline in the house. It should be kept in a detached
garage or in an outside storage area. Be absolutely sure it is clear from any ignition
source such as a water heater, washer or dryer. Do not put gasoline in a cup, glass jug or
old bleach bottle. It should be stored in an approved container, which is of heavy duty
construction, has a spring-loaded, self-closing handle and is equipped with a
safety-relief plug. The Fire Code allows a maximum of 10 gallons of flammable liquid to be
stored on residential property and the liquid must be stored outside. Storage of flammable
liquids above these amounts on any property, commercial or residential, requires a permit
from the Fire Department Division of Fire Prevention. Don't store gasoline in the trunk or
back of the car. If you need to carry fuel, make sure the cap is tightly closed, and fill
the can only three-fourths full, leaving an air space for vapor expansion.
Kerosene Kerosene heaters are commonly used in many homes and
businesses during colder months of the year to provide warmth. Kerosene is not as
flammable as gasoline but just as dangerous. Fill a kerosene heater outdoors using a fill
spout. Never fill a heating unit while hot and be sure the area is ventilated. Kerosene
should be stored away from the home and any heat or ignition sources. It should be stored
in an approved container like gasoline.
Other flammable liquids and gases. For health and safety
reasons, paint should be used in a ventilated area. It should be stored in a secured can
when not being used. Spray paint and paint solvents such as lacquer thinner, and paint
brush cleaner are highly flammable and should be stored away from heat or ignition
sources. Other cleaners such as naptha and toluene can be ignited by static electricity
from one's clothing. These products should be stored in secured containers away from the
home in a detached storage area. You may have a good reason to have benzine in the house -
as a dry cleaning fluid or as a fluid for your cigarette lighter. Even then, you should
keep the smallest quantity possible on hand...in a tightly stoppered container...stored
securely away in a cool place.
Benzene (with an "e"), otherwise known as benzol, is a
very serious fire and health hazard (a known carcinogen). Do not use or store it under any
circumstances.
Denatured alcohol may be required for some uses in the home, perhaps
as a rubbing solution. While it is not quite as dangerous as some of the others, it is
nonetheless highly flammable and should be used and stored with as much caution as any
other flammable liquid.
Many pesticides are not only poisonous, but are highly flammable.
When using pesticides, be sure you are away from any heat or ignition source. Always keep
pesticides in their original containers.
Rags which have been used to wipe or clean petroleum products may
spontaneously ignite. Cleaning rags soaked in oil, furniture polish, turpentine, or paint
should be kept in a tightly-sealed metal container or thrown away immediately after use.
No comments:
Post a Comment