• Gasoline at home
• Gasoline safety tips
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Gasoline at home

Keep gasoline out of children's sight and reach. Children should never handle gasoline.   If fire does start while handling gasoline, do not attempt to extinguish the fire or stop the flow of gasoline. Leave the area immediately, and call for help.   Do not use or store gasoline near possible ignition sources (i.e., electrical devices, oil- or gas-fired appliances, or any other device that contains a pilot flame or a spark).   See all safety tips

There has been a steady decline in the average number of gasoline fires in homes each year since 1980 when there were 15,000 fires.

Facts & figures

• In 2003-2006, municipal fire departments responded to an estimated 2,400 gasoline structure fires in U.S. homes, annually.  These fire resulted in 110 civilian deaths, 313 civilian injuries and $105.9 million in direct property damage.
• 49% of home gasoline structure fires each year between 2003 and 2006 were categorized as intentional. Almost three-quarters of civilian injuries resulted from unintentional causes.  Fuel spills or releases; using gasoline to kindle fire, and gasoline too close to a heat source; were the leading factors contributing to ignition in home gasoline structure fires.
• Spark ember or flame from operating equipment was the most common ignition source in home gasoline structure fires, followed by matches and lighters.

Source: NFPA's Fire Analysis & Research Division

More information on this topic

• For more information on gasoline safety, visit the American Petroleum Institute and the Petroleum Equipment Institute Web sites.

NFPA does not test, label or approve any products.
Updated 7/09

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Gasoline safety tips Prevent gasoline fires in the home.