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Educational and Informational Resources > Homeowner Information > Spill Proof Gas Cans > Tips for Handling Gasoline
Tips for Handling Gasoline
It's the end of another season of grass cutting, weed whacking, and boating soon to be followed by a season of snow blowing and snowmobiling. Let’s take a breather from the household chores and review some safe tips for storing and handling the fuel that runs our power equipment. Gasoline is both flammable and toxic and one of the most dangerous chemicals you will regularly be in contact with during your life. Yet, the amount of risk it poses is largely determined by how we use…and misuse…it in our own daily routines. Here are a few useful tips to protect you, your family and the environment against possible fire and groundwater contamination: Buy only what you need. If you have a gallon of gas left at the end of the season then buy that much less next season. The same holds true for two-cycle gas/oil mixtures - mix only what you need. Most manufacturers do not recommend storing gasoline in power equipment for more than a month, so make sure to run your equipment dry. If you do end up with some left over fresh gas, then add stabilizer before it gets old (generally more than 30 days since purchase). Unmixed "old" gas can be burned in your car by diluting one part old fuel with five parts new fuel. Never burn brush with leftover gasoline! There are no cheap or easy answers for proper disposal of gasoline that has become "gummy" or contaminated with dirt and water. Check with your town to see if they plan to participate in a household hazardous waste pick-up day. You can bring your gasoline there for safe disposal. See the following link for a list of towns that participate in household hazardous waste collections. Another option is to contact a licensed hazardous waste professional. Hazardous waste haulers will pick-up contaminated gasoline from individuals but the cost is around $20 a gallon. . Many service stations and municipal trash transfer stations accept used crankcase oil from individuals and burn it in waste oil space heaters. Never mix left over gasoline-oil from a two-cycle engine with crankcase oil because this mixture could explode in the waste oil burner! Store gasoline in UL- approved (red for gasoline, blue for kerosene and diesel) containers. These containers should be clearly labeled to identify the contents and fitted with a spout to allow pouring without spilling. Better yet replace your old gas can with one of the new spill-proof gas cans. Got gas? check out the new containers Never store gasoline in inappropriate containers such as glass jars or plastic milk jugs. These can break or deteriorate causing a spill or worse a fire! Store all gasoline containers preferably in a well ventilated shed or detached garage, away from the reach of children. Some of the constituents of gasoline move quickly through groundwater, so store gasoline and fuel equipment as far away and downslope from your drinking water well as possible. Once a month check for leaks from fuel tanks, engines or storage containers (U.L.-approved plastic containers will not rust). Little leaks and spills can really add up and cause groundwater contamination. For more information on the safe storage and handling of gasoline at home, on your boat or when fueling at service stations please see these off line web sites. EPA Region 5 - Winterizing your Lawnmower - Off Site National Fire Protection Association - Off Site Gas Care - The Alliance for Proper Gasoline Handling - Off Site American Petroleum Institute - Off Site Remember
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