Gas Pump Dangers - Electrical Charge vs. Static Sparks

Maybe I missed a memo, but the last thing that I had heard was that the whole cell phone/gas pump warning is an urban legend.  Still, I see the signs at many gas stations to keep cell phones turned off. 

And after watching this, I reckon, “Why chance it?”:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/572992/gas_stations_and_phones/

On the other hand, static sparks have been documented to cause fires at the pump, albeit rarely.  According to a Purdue publication, most of these accidents happen to women (78%) because they re-enter their vehicles more often while refueling (a no-no). 

I even read somewhere to keep one hand on the vehicle outside while fueling in cold weather to prevent static.  My husband laughs at me when I do that, thinking it’s my obsessive-compulsive behavior.  But I figure, “Hey, I’m a mom of four — they need me around”…apparently, to pump the gas. 

~ by Galvanized on May 27, 2007.