Important tips to keep yourself and your car safe at petrol pumps

You must be visiting petrol pumps often to refuel your vehicle. But have you ever thought that there are some precautions that you must follow when you are at a petrol pump to keep you and others safe? You might have come across some tragic incidents taking place at some petrol pump, for example, a fire accident. Therefore, having precaution is always better than cure. In this article, we will know about these precautions in detail. 

Here are some detailed tips to ensure you and your car remain safe while refuelling.

Turn Off Your Vehicle's Engine

You should always switch off your vehicle’s engine before refuelling. The reason is that modern vehicles are equipped with a number of electrical devices. These devices can generate sparks and ignite fuel vapours, which may lead to fire accidents. Also, by turning off your vehicle’s engine, you can prevent the unnecessary consumption of your fuel. 

Do Not Smoke

Smoking can be very dangerous at petrol pumps due to the highly flammable nature of fuel vapours. Even a small spark from a lighter or matches can ignite these vapours and cause fire. Therefore, every petrol pump has a clear instruction through signage that strictly prohibits smoking. It is not only the cigarettes that you should avoid; other sources of flames, such as lighters, etc., should also be kept away from the petrol pump area. 

Do Not Use Mobile Phones

It is always advisable that you avoid using mobile phones at petrol pumps. Your mobile phone can become a potential cause of fire risk, especially if it is overheated, like during hot weather. Although such instances are not usual, it is always better to be on the safer side and prevent the minimum possible risk. Using a mobile phone also causes distraction, which can make you unattentive at the place.  

Do Not Overfill Your Vehicle Tank

If you overfill the fuel tank, this can lead to fuel spillage, which can be risky. The spilt fuel can also cause slipping, and the fuel vapours coming out of it are highly flammable, which can cause fire accidents. 

Alertness Is The Key

It is always advised that you should stay attentive at the petrol pump. A petrol pump is usually a busy place with a huge footfall. Therefore, you should be cautious of any unusual incident, such as leakage of fuel or smell of a gas. Especially if you are with kids or pets, you have to be extra careful because they can cause mischief at the place, which may lead to troubles.  

Follow the Instructions at Petrol Pump

Every petrol pump has some instructions which are required to be followed. These can include no smoking, not carrying fuel in plastic or glass bottles, or certain specific guidelines. You should be aware of these instructions and should not overlook them.

Check For Fuel Leakage

Once refuelling is done, tighten the fuel cap properly. If you leave it loose then the fuel can come out and this can be risky. Moreover, you should always keep your vehicle in good condition and check regularly for any defects or leakages. A well-maintained vehicle carries lesser risk than a poorly maintained vehicle with faulty parts. 

Keep An Eye On Kids

If you have kids with you, make sure they stay at a safe distance from the vehicle, especially if it is a CNG vehicle. Keep them away from the fuelling area. You must know that kids are very curious and playful too; therefore, keeping an eye on them is necessary to avoid any trouble at fuel pumps and ensure the safety of everyone.

It is rightly said that prevention is better than cure. By following the above mentioned tips, you can ensure your safety as well as the safety of others at the petrol pump. Your alertness and attentiveness can prevent accidents or mishaps at the fuel pumps. Always follow the instructions, keep an eye on the surroundings, and do not ignore if you find anything unusual.

For further reading:

7 Tips to Keep Car Battery Life Healthy

Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.