Gasoline-Related Injuries and How to Prevent Them

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Gasoline-Related Injuries and How to Prevent
Them
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Preventing Gasoline-Related Injuries
Developed by American Burn Association Burn
Prevention Committee
Funded by United States Fire Administration/ Fede
ral Emergency Management Agency
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Fire and Burn Death and Injury

• Deaths
• 4,000 deaths a yearfrom fire and burns
• Injuries
• 25,000 hospitalized in burn centers
• 600,000 burn injuries treated at hospital EDs

(Sources National Fire Protection
Association,National Center for Health
Statistics)
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What We Should Know About Gasoline

• Dangers of gasoline and related products
• The proper use of gasoline
• Preventing gasoline injury
• Immediate injury treatment

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The Impact of Gasoline Fires and Injuries

• 500 fire deaths
• Several thousand injuriestreated at hospitals
  
• 6,000 home fires
• 450M property damage
• Sources National Center for Health Statistics
• National Fire Protection Association

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Gasolines ONLY Proper Use is

• TO POWER ENGINES

Gasoline-powered Engines Require a Constant
Explosion of Fuel
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Gasoline Should Never Be Used as.

• An accelerant (to a cooking grill or any fire)
• A solvent
• A cleaning solution
• A weed or insect killer
• A mind-altering substance
• A fuel in devices designed for kerosene

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Usual Initial Source of a Gasoline Explosion

• Its the vapor

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Flammable Liquid/Gas Danger Factors

• Flash Point
• Vapor Density
• Flammable Range
• Accessibility

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Danger Factor 1 Flash Point

• DefinitionThe temperature at which a product
  releases vapors that can explode and burn. The
  lower the flash point, the greater the danger.
• Flammable Vapors are released that can
  explode
• and burn at temperatures below 100F
  (38C)
• Combustible No ignitable vapors are
  released at temperatures below 100F (38C)

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Flash Points of Common Liquids and Gases
Product Flash Point
Flammable Propane -156F
Gasoline -45F
Turpentine 95F

Combustible Kerosene 100F
Paint Thinner 105F
Diesel Fuel 125F
Safety Solvents 100-140F
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Danger Factor 2 Vapor Density

• Definition The ratio of a products vapor to
  the density of air. (Air 1)

Product Flash Point Vapor Density
Propane -156 1.56 (at 329F)
Gasoline -45F 3 to 4
Turpentine 95F 4.8
Kerosene 100F 4.5
Safety solvent 100-140F 4.8
Paint thinner 105F 4.9
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Danger Factor 3 Flammable Range

• Definition
• The range of concentration of a gas or vapor in
  air, between its lower and upper explosive
  limits, that will burn if ignited.
• Beyond this range, products are too lean or too
  rich for their vapors to ignite
• Gasoline has a high flammable range
• (Lower Explosive Limit1.4 Upper Explosive
  Limit7.6)

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Gasoline-Related Injuries Occur

• In outdoor recreation
• On the job
• In and around the household

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Most Gasoline-Related Injuries Occur

• In and around the household
• Improper storage or handling
• Misuse as cleaning liquid, heater fuel, etc.

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Gasoline Vapor Risk Factors Combine Indoors

• Low flash point (more ignition sources)
• High density (vapors descend to floor)
• Wide flammable range (less ventilation)

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High Risk Areas for Gasoline Vapor Ignition

• Basements and Closed Garages
• - Most likely areas for gasoline storage and
  use
• - May have little air movement
• - May contain ignition sources

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Potential Gasoline Vapor Ignition Sources

• Smoking items(cigarettes and lighters)
• Heater and furnace pilot lights
• Refrigerators and freezers
• (motors may spark when activated by
  thermostats)

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What Other Liquids and Gases Can Be Dangerous?

• Propane
• Kerosene
• Turpentine
• Ethanol (grain alcohol)
• Methanol (wood alcohol)

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Kerosene Heater Dangers

• Mistaken use of gasoline as fuel
• Contact or scald injury to young children
• Combustion of papers placed nearby
• Ignition of carpets or rugs if saturated from
  frequent spills

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Other Household ProductsSubject to
Ignition Under Certain Conditions

• Products
• Turpentine and other paint thinners
• Solvents
• Tile Adhesive
• Conditions
• When the vapor of a large amount of exposed
  liquid or solid product comes into contact with a
  spark or other flame source

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Propane and Gas Grill Safety

• Store propane bottles in well ventilated areas
  away from house, potential flame sources
• Check all connections frequently
• Keep lid open when starting grill
• Open valve only 1/4 to 1/2 turn before lighting
• Keep valve closed when not in use

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Charcoal Grills Safe Lighting Procedure

• Use only approved lighter/starter fluids
• Use mitt when lighting coals
• After soaking the coals with starter fluid
• Wait a minute before lighting
• Allow vapors to dissipate

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Charcoal Grills Cooking and Extinguishing

• Keep children away
• Never add starter fluidto warm or hot coals
• Keep a water supply handy in case of a
  fire emergency
• When extinguishing coals,use ample water

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How Can Gasoline-related BurnsBe Prevented?

• Proper Use
• Proper Storage
• Proper Fueling Practice
• Proper Transportation

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How Should Gasoline Be Stored?

• In an approved portable container
• In a small quantity
• Away from the houseor mobile home
• In a cool, well-ventilated area
• With a Class Bfire extinguisher handy
• Inaccessible to children

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An Approved Gasoline Container

• Is
• Bright red
• Labeled GASOLINE
• Small enough to carry
• Has
• Two tight-fitting caps
• The seal of a standards organization

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How Should Portable Gasoline Containers Be
Filled?

• Place the container on the ground
• At least 5 feet from engine or power equipment
• Keep dispensing nozzle in contact with lip of
  container or fuel tank fill tube
• Fill slowly
• Do not fill to capacity

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How Should You Transport Gasoline?

• Use approved container
• Wipe off any gas spilled on container
• Secure to prevent sliding, tipping in vehicle
• Keep filled container in shade
• Transport filled containers only for short
  distances

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What is Huffing?

• A frequent form of solvent abuse
• Can result in
• Euphoria
• Unsteady walk
• Confusion
• Long-term physical damage

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Why is Huffing with GasolineEspecially Dangerous?

• Gasoline can spill on clothing
• Cigarette or other flame source may ignite gas
  vapors or saturated clothing
• Compromised huffer may be unable to extinguish
  or escape flames

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Other Forms of Gasoline Exposurethat Present
Health Risks

• Skin Contact
• Eye Exposure
• Lung Exposure
• Swallowing
• Extensive exposure can affectthe entire body
  system

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First Aid for Gasoline Exposure

• Move victim to fresh air
• Remove affected clothing, shoes, jewelry
• Flush 20-30 minutes with running water
• Eyes Blot chemical and flush with water
• DO NOT induce vomiting provide water
• Call 9-1-1 and the National Poison Control Center
  at 1-800-222-1222

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First Aid for Gasoline Flame Burns

• Protect yourself from similar injury
• Remove victim from flame source
• Stop burning process by smothering flames
• Remove burned clothing that does not stick to the
  body
• Cool body with running water
• Cover victim with clean sheet or blanket
• Call 9-1-1
• Keep gasoline-saturated clothing and belongings
  away from ignition sources

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In Summary.

• Gasolines only purpose is to fuel engines
• Storing gasoline in the house is dangerous
• Handle, store and transport gasoline safely
• Wash off or flush gasoline quickly if skin or
  eyes are exposed to gasoline
• For flame injuries, follow first aid guidelines

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Conclusion

• Gasoline-Related Burns Are Preventable!