Fuel Containers Can Pose a Serious Injury Risk

From blowing out candles before leaving a room to keeping a close eye on lit burners when cooking on a stove-top, everyday fire safety comes as second nature to many. Thanks to countless fire drills, we know to never play with matches and always stop, drop, and roll; but there are dangers that elementary school probably didn’t cover: fuel containers, flammable liquids and fuel vapors.

With thousands of people seeking treatment at emergency departments each year for injuries related to flammable liquids—often sustained during common household activities like lighting a backyard fire pit or burning trash—the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to keep fuel container and flammable liquid safety top-of-mind.

A quick look around your house might reveal common household products that are hidden fire hazards like rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, and paint thinner—all flammable liquids that can ignite, or even explode, seconds after encountering a spark or flame. In your garage you might store liquid fuels like gasoline, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, ethanol or bioethanol, fuels for small engines, liquid fireplace fuels, or butane for cigarette lighters in portable fuel containers. When poured from a container over an exposed flame or other ignition source, these flammable liquids can cause violent flash fires called flame jetting.

However, liquid fuels don’t have to be poured from their containers to be deadly; if invisible fuel vapors escape, all it takes is a small spark for them to ignite and flash back into the container, causing a severe explosion that can easily burn those nearby.

Ahead of autumn bonfires, crisp fall camping trips, and Fire Prevention Week, here are some fire safety reminders from CPSC to light up without getting burned:

1. Fire and Fuel Don’t Mix—Never use gasoline with fires or fire pits. To start or re-light a fire, only use appropriate fire starters. Never add liquid fuel after trying to start a fire—even if you don’t see a visible flame.
2. Keep Water Nearby—In any conditions, controlled fires can become dangerous in seconds. Before starting a fire, plan to have a garden hose, water container, or fire extinguisher on-hand, and pay attention to wildfire risk and wind forecasts before lighting.
3. Store Safely—Fuel containers are useful for portable generators, snowblowers, lawn mowers, and other equipment, but should not be stowed near these devices, as they can throw sparks that cause liquids and vapors to ignite. Instead, store fuel containers in cool, well-ventilated areas outside the home, and always ensure the cap is securely in place after use.
4. Carry With Caution—Transport and store liquid fuel only in appropriate, child-resistant containers specifically designed for this purpose; using any other type of container, like a jug or plastic bag, is extremely dangerous. Always place a fuel container on the ground when adding fuel, and ensure it is closed, upright, and stable when transported in a trunk or truck bed. Once home, immediately remove the fuel container from the car, and place it in a safe, cool, well-ventilated area away from children.
5. Arrestor is Better—When purchasing a new or used fuel container, make sure it is equipped with a flame arrestor. These simple devices provide an extinguishing barrier to ignited fuel vapors that protects against flame jetting and container rupturing. CPSC is making gas cans and other fuel containers safer by requiring flame mitigation devices. The new mandatory safety standard went into effect on July 12, 2023.
6. Take Fire and Fuel Safety Seriously—Whether or not you realize it, flammable liquids and fuel containers are all around you, from the gas can in your garage to the nail polish remover in your bathroom cabinet. No matter how commonplace these items are, it is important to remain cautious and aware of the fire hazards they present so a sudden spark doesn’t take you by surprise. CPSC urges all adults to take fire safety seriously and teach kids to stay safe near fires, fuel containers, and gasoline-powered vehicles.

 Common household items, appliances, and activities can pose unpredictable dangers that can quickly turn a cozy campfire or weekend yard work into an explosive accident. To stay up to date on CPSC’s latest data, resources, and recalls, and ensure that flammable liquid and fuel container dangers don’t catch you unaware, visit CPSC’s Fuel Container, Gasoline, and Other Liquid Fuel Safety Education Center