Gasoline Mike - a Static Encounter

Filed in archive Gasoline Mike on March 1, 2008

Gasoline Mike has been roaming the highways and byways to bring us the best in filling station news. Mr. Mike was enjoying a packaged donut and cup of coffee with powdered milk and 7 sugars when his eagle eye caught this encounter on the station's security camera.



Mikey scratched his head, took another hit of joe and figured out exactly what happened - a static charge.

You know how it happens at home. Walking on carpet creates a static charge that sparks when you touch something metal. The same thing can happen at the gas pump. Drivers, who slide back into the seat while waiting for the tank to fill, create static electricity which may spark when they reach for the nozzle again - and could cause a fire. This woman also touches her sweater creating a static charge.






Static electricity-related flash fires at the gas pump are extremely rare. While they can happen at any time of year, they are more likely to occur in cool and dry climate conditions, especially during the fall and winter months.

Here are some Gasoline Mike tips to help you stay safe when refueling:

Turn off your engine

Don't smoke

Don't get back in your vehicle while refueling

If you must get back into your vehicle touch something metal, like the door handle, before returning to the pump

When filling a portable container, always put it on the ground before filling it to help dissipate the static