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Burn Awareness Week—Feb. 4 - 10 Tips on ways to prevent gasoline burn injuries Gasoline, when ignited in a controlled manner to power engines, serves a very useful purpose. Because it is so commonplace, however, its presence is sometimes taken for granted.  But the same quality of explosive ignition that makes gasoline so valuable as a fuel can cause terrible injuries when it is handled carelessly or used in a manner for which it is not intended. Gasoline and flammable liquid related burns, however, are a preventable problem.  Deaths and injuries resulting from gasoline ignition or exposure occur in a variety of ways. Many of the deaths and injuries associated with gasoline occur at home. Gasoline causes a significant number of burn injuries each year. This is why the American Burn Association and its Burn Prevention Committee is involved in providing information on preventing gasoline burn injuries.  It is estimated that each year in the United States there are more than 140,000 gasoline related fires. Thousands of people visit hospital emergency rooms or are hospitalized for gasoline related injuries each year, and approximately 500 people die from such injuries.  Gasoline related burn injuries can be prevented through increased education and by changing the behavior of those who store and transport gasoline other than in their highway vehicle fuel tank. In order to promote the prevention of such incidents, an understanding of the flammability of gasoline and other petroleum products is needed.  Gasoline Safety Uses and misuses of gasoline Use gasoline only for its intended purpose, to  fuel an engine.  Start charcoal grills with fuels labeled as charcoal starters. Never siphon gasoline by mouth! Even a few drops inhaled into the lungs may cause death.  Never prime a carburetor with gasoline.  Tips Regarding Use of Portable Gas Containers  Use only containers that have been listed, labeled or approved for gasoline.  Do not dispense gasoline into a portable gasoline container while it is located inside a vehicle, trunk or pick-up truck bed.  Avoid using nozzle latch, or hold open devices when filling a gasoline container.  Transporting Gasoline  Before, during and after the transport…  Gasoline should be transported only a short distance.  When transporting gasoline, make sure it is stored in an approved container, with the lid tightly closed.  If transporting gasoline in a car, keep the container in the trunk and keep the trunk lid ajar for ventilation.  Remove the container and store it properly, never store a gasoline container in a stationary vehicle.  Do not leave a container of gasoline in the direct sunlight, or in the trunk of a car that is in the sun.  Gasoline Storage  The following points should be kept in mind when storing gasoline:  First, never store gasoline in the house!  Always store the container in a cool, well ventilated area.  When not in use, keep gasoline containers locked up at all times.  Store gasoline in approved, properly labeled safety containers.  Source: The U.S. Home Product Report, 1993-1997, Flammable or Combustible Liquids, National Fire Protection Association, Fire Analysis and Research Division, Quincy, MA, August 2000.