Last week I received a notification from Shell Oil; it contained a warning about using cell phones when refueling vehicles.

The warning cited three separate cases where it was proven that cell phones caused horrific fires. Please review the following:

Case 1. The vehicles driver got out of his vehicle and placed his cell phone on the vehicle trunk lid during refueling; the cell phone rang, which sparked the fumes of the fuel. The ensuing fire destroyed both the car and gasoline pump.

Case 2. During a refueling operation, the vehicle driver answered his cell phone; the spark from that phone caused the fumes to explode burning his face severely.

Case 3. The last individual sustained severe burns to their thigh, groin and butt when the cell phone contained in their pocket rang during the refueling of their car.

The Petroleum Equipment Institutes researched 150 cases of static electricity caused fuel fires. Below are their findings:

• Out of 150 cases, almost all of them involved women.

• Almost cases involved people getting back into their vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping fuel.

When they were finished, they got back out of their vehicle and touched the nozzle. Static electricity sparked the fire. Women wear different types of materials then men. Those materials attract static electricity.

•  Most of the cases had rubber-sole shoes on.

• Most of the men examined in the study never got back into the vehicle during the refueling process.

• Seventeen of the fires occurred during or immediately after the gas cap was removed.

• 29 fires occurred after the person got out of the vehicle and answered their cell phone.

Static electricity from both the vehicle and cell phone caused the fire.

Folks, this is a serious issue.

Below are four simple rules to follow during the refueling of your vehicle:

•  Turn the engine off which reduces static electrically produced by your vehicle.

•  Don’t smoke while refueling.

•  Leave your cell phone inside of your vehicle. The static electricity stored in your body coupled with the cell phone spark from a call could be costly.

•  Don’t re-enter your vehicle during refueling.

That second re-entry coupled with the first static electricity charge could be enough of a charge to spark fume ignition.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), e-mail them to nwees@hughes.net or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed do?  For more information about Ed, go online to www.nwees.com.

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified indoor environmental professional, forensic, fire, flood, mold Inspection and remediation/restoration contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, Inc.