Maryland State Fire Marshal

News Release
Martin OMalley Governor

Brian S. Geraci State Fire Marshal

AVOID STATIC ELETRICITY WHEN DISPENSING GASOLINE

PIKESVILLE, MD (December 17, 2013) Although rare, fires occurring when dispensing gasoline into ehicles and appro ed containers can result in a sudden flash fire directl! resulting from a static electricit! spar"# A spar" caused b! static electricit! can $uic"l! ignite gasoline apors in or around the fuel fill site# %hen dr! (low humidit!) conditions e&ist, the potential for static electricit! rises# 'tatic electricit! de elops while entering and e&iting !our ehicle# (t is ad ised to touch a metal area awa! from the fill location on the ehicle to discharge an! static built up from contact with the seat before touching the no))le# Although it is a best practice to a oid re*entering !our ehicle after beginning the refueling process, if !ou find it necessar! to enter the ehicle again, touch the e&terior metal area of the ehicle before handling the no))le# Serious injury or death can quickly change the outcome of a seemingly simple task when dispensing gasoline, stated 'tate +ire ,arshal -rian '# .eraci# Please educate yourself and share the following safety tips with others when filling vehicles and containers. /lease follow the safet! instructions pro ided on decals located on the gas pump housing# Alwa!s turn*off ehicle engine when refueling# 'ta! near the no))le during the refueling process# 0efrain from re*entering !our ehicle# (f !ou must re*enter the ehicle, discharge an! static charge b! touching a metal area li"e the car door before touching the no))le# %hen filling appro ed containers, alwa!s place the container on the ground, ne er fill containers on a ehicle or trailer# 1eep the no))le in direct contact with the appro ed container while filling# (f a fire occurs, do not remo e the no))le# 2ea e the area immediatel! and call for assistance#

1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208

3he 4ffice of the 'tate +ire ,arshal is an agenc! of the Department of 'tate /olice dedicated to helping protect citi)ens from fire and e&plosion through a comprehensi e program of education, inspection, in estigation and fire protection engineering# +or more information on fire safet! call 1*500*626*3127, log onto our website at8 www#mdsp#org9firemarshal and9or http899faceboo"#com9,ar!land'tate+ire,arshal#
,edia contact8 -ruce D# -ouch, Deput! 'tate +ire ,arshal: 773*327*;57;

1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208