How to Use a Gas Can- Safety Tips

How frequently have you experienced an unexpected gas shortage? If you replied, “Never ever,” you either don’t drive very often or your car is an electric vehicle. Being prepared with a gas can on hand to transfer gasoline to the car is a common practice among most people because running out of gas is so common. Driving with extra gasoline is not an option because gasoline is extremely sensitive and flammable. The only workaround is to use a gas can to carry gas from a nearby gas station to your empty vehicle. But by no means would one call this a simple task. It is crucial to exercise extreme caution while transporting this highly flammable material. To transport gasoline in a gas can safely, follow this guide.

Below, we have listed a few quick ways to ensure that you can fill and transport gasoline safely using a gas container. If you use caution when applying these suggestions, you can safely fill and transport gasoline in a gas container.

Basics on How to Use a Gas Can Safely

Things You Should Know

• To fill your gas can, put it on the ground and insert the pump’s nozzle into the valve.
• Press or twist the clip on the nozzle of gas cans with spill-proof spouts to release the gas. To release the gas, attach the spout to the tank valve and press down.
• To fill a gas can with a traditional quick-flow spout, remove the vent cap and fill the tank’s valve.

1. Choosing Your Gas Can

First and foremost, your gas container needs to be a legitimate gas container designed specifically to transport gasoline. There are many different types of gas containers on the market, but drivers prefer plastic gas cans. If you don’t have a gas can but plan to buy one, make sure it’s in good shape. To ensure the safe transportation of the fuel, a suitable gas container is made to order. There are sufficient safety features on these plastic gas cans to guarantee that they are tightly sealed and won’t leak. These gas cans also have a built-in gas can nozzle that helps deposit the gas into the fuel tank of the vehicle without spilling. If you are transporting gasoline in a random container, there will always be the risk of spillage. Gasoline is highly flammable, and the last thing we need is to have spilled gas stick on your car’s bodywork around the fuel tank

2. Filling Up the Can

The next thing you should do is figure out how to fill a gas can once you have access to a suitable airtight gas container. The safest way to do this is to place an empty gas can on the ground and place the fuel pump nozzle inside the can. An elevated surface, such as a truck bed or carpeted floorboard, is not a good place to put the empty gasoline container. In order to be totally safe, the gas container must always be grounded electrically. Maintaining the gas can cap is something else to keep in mind as you fill the gas container. The lid is the last thing you should lose while filling up your gas container because doing so would increase the risk of transporting gas. Additionally, you would spill a lot of gasoline everywhere, which is never a good idea when filling a gas can.

A good rule of thumb is to always keep your gas tank at least 1/4 full. For now, you can follow these steps to fill your car with a gas can:

• First, take off the gas cap on your car and the cap from the gas can’s nozzle.
• After that, put the nozzle of the gas can inside the tank of gasoline. Ensure that the nozzle is safely positioned inside your vehicle.
• Then, gently lift the can to start filling the gas tank.
• Remove the gas can and firmly fasten the cap to the nozzle once you’ve added all the gas you need.
• Do not forget to secure the gas cap on your vehicle.

3. Do Not Fill the Gas Can Up to the Brim

Now, this is one of the most important things to remember while filling up the gas container. Always stop filling a gas container when it is between 90% and 95% full. Never overfill a gas container because that will definitely result in gas spillage. Stop filling the gas can when it is 50% full and proceed slowly from this point on if you are having trouble seeing how much of the gas container has been filled because the gas can cause the nozzle or fuel pump nozzle to block your view. For improved visibility, you might also try taking the gas can nozzle off your gas container. This can assist you in stopping at 95% of a gas can’s capacity.

4. Close the Gas Can Cap Tightly

Put the gas container’s lid back on firmly at the ground itself to reduce spills as much as possible. The gas container is frequently filled on the ground, but people have a habit of picking it up before replacing the cap. This practice should be avoided because picking up the gas container will undoubtedly cause it to shake and spill. Additionally, it is ideal to confirm that the gas can cap has been re-screwed firmly. Gas spillage may go undetected until you arrive at your vehicle, which has run out of fuel, if the gas container’s lid is not screwed on tightly.

5. Place the Gas Container Upright and Transport It in a Safe Environment

The only thing left to do after completing the aforementioned steps is to ensure that the gasoline is returned to your vehicle in a secure manner. The best way to ensure this is by placing the gasoline can upright on either the truck bed of your vehicle or upright in the trunk. To prevent the gas container from tipping over, further secure it with rope or a bungee cord if you have any on hand. Not only that, but you also need to make sure the gas container’s lid is securely fastened. On your way back to your car, the location where you store it shouldn’t be in direct sunlight or in an area that gets too hot. Exposure to such elements for prolonged durations could cause the stored fuel to catch fire.

Although it’s not exactly simple, safely transporting gasoline in a gas can doesn’t have to be a difficult task. While avoiding a situation where you run out of fuel is ideal, it is inevitable to run out of fuel once or twice. You are good to go as long as you are willing to put in a little extra time to handle the gasoline with that extra 1% care. Remember that the color of the gas container denotes the type of gas it is intended to hold if you are purchasing one for the first time. The color you should be looking for is red because it’s for gasoline, while yellow and blue are for diesel and kerosene, respectively.

Here is a video of how to use a Scepter gas can

Safety Tips

• Use an approved container to transport or store gasoline. Keep the container in a safe, upright location away from the passenger area, such as in the trunk or truck bed. Verify that the fill and vent openings are securely closed.
• Gas cans should be kept secure and away from habitations. Use a detached garage or locked shed. Gas should not be near anything that can ignite, such as pilot lights.
• Away from flames, sparks, and heat, store gasoline. Gas fumes that linger on clothing can be ignited with just a spark or a lit cigarette.
• Keep children away from gasoline. Children between the ages of 10 and 14 are more likely than people of other ages to get into trouble with gasoline and sustain burns.
• Stop, drop, cover and roll if you are on fire.
• When you get gas, turn off your vehicle. Keep an eye on the fueling process. Stay out of the car. Never insert the gas cap into the nozzle. Keep in mind to reinstall the nozzle and secure the gas cap before departing from self-service stations.
• Placing a gas container on the ground for refilling is permitted. Put the pump nozzle inside the container and make contact with the interior. So there is less chance of vapors being ignited by static electricity.

FAQs

Final Words: Be Careful

In conclusion, you should not keep gasoline for a long time; instead, use it soon after purchasing it. Over time, gasoline may expand or the holder may become worn; whichever increases the risk of accidents.

Purchase exactly what you need to keep a safe distance from the effects of extra gasoline in the store.