Burn Awareness Week focuses on gasoline fires

Itasca, IL – The National Gasoline Safety Project is using Burn Awareness Week (Feb. 6-12) to emphasize the dangers – particularly to children – of using gasoline to start fires for barbecue grills or campfires, or to burn trash.

Although a national study funded by the project indicated that 80 percent of parents do not use gasoline to start fires, those who do put themselves and their children at serious risk.

"Ironically, our research shows even parents who use gasoline to start fires know it isn't a safe thing to do," said Amanda Emerson of the National Gasoline Safety Project. "But they think it's something 'everyone' does. It's not. And it needlessly puts children in harm's way."

To ensure gasoline is used safely, the organization recommends the following:

• Never use gasoline to start a fire.
• Carefully read all caution labels on gasoline containers and adhere to safety precautions when using a portable fuel container.
• Always place fuel containers on the ground when filling to avoid static electricity ignition.
• Gasoline should never be used by children and should be kept out of their reach.
• Do not store gasoline in a vehicle or living space. Gasoline should be stored in a well-ventilated area.
• Keep gasoline containers closed when not in use.
• Avoid prolonged breathing of gasoline vapors.
• Gas is potentially fatal when ingested. If swallowed, call your physician immediately. Do not induce vomiting.