• Follow safety precautions when filling up the tank on your vehicle.gas pump image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
  
  Pumping gas isn't the most difficult thing you'll do, but it is among the most potentially hazardous tasks that millions of people engage in every day. Dealing with a highly flammable substance such as gasoline can be dangerous if you don't take certain precautions at the pump. You can ensure your safety and the safety of those around you at the gas pumps the next time you stop to fill up.
  
  

Turn Off Engine

• Always turn off your engine before pumping gas, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment website. The chance for a fire is slim since gas stations typically use vapor recovery nozzles to keep actions like backfiring from sparking fires. However, it is still possible for the car to slip into gear and move while you are pumping gas. It could run over a person, damage your car or other property, or cause a major fuel spill at the station.
  
  

No Smoking

• While it may seem like common sense not to smoke at a gas pump, some people insist on doing it anyway. Gasoline is highly flammable and the vapors alone can ignite with even the smallest spark. Smoking a cigarette or cigar while pumping gas makes this possibility far more likely. Stations usually post "No Smoking" signs at the pumps, but not everyone adheres to the rules. If you see a person smoking at the pump, consider choosing a different station or at least choosing a pump on the opposite side of the station.
  
  

Don't Get In The Car

• Some people lock the pump trigger into position for a fill up and then walk away. Some even get back in the car to wait until the automatic shutoff turns the pump off. This is not a good idea for safety purposes, according to the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service.
  
  When a person slides out of the car seat, he tends to pick up static electricity. This is obvious the next time he touches anything because there is a small shock and maybe even a spark in some cases, depending on the materials he is wearing and the object he touches. Touching the door to close it and touching the gas pump will use up the charge and make a person safe by the time the flow of gasoline begins. However, if a person locks the pump handle and gets back in the car, he will pick up another charge when he gets out. Often he will do this while leaving the door open, meaning the next thing he touches is the pump nozzle. A spark here could set off a fire from the vapors.
  
  

Mobile Phones

• Never use a mobile phone while pumping gas, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment website. Although there have been no reported gasoline fires caused by mobile phones, it is possible. Cell phones and other electronic devices emit an electronic charge that could potentially spark a fire when there are nearby gas vapors.
  
  

Portable Containers

• If you are filling a portable container, only use the type specifically designed to hold gasoline. Fill the container slowly and keep the nozzle in contact with the container. The container should sit directly on the ground; never fill it inside a vehicle or on the bed of a truck because of the possibility of static electricity being present.