How To Use A Gas Can?
A lot of people use gas cans to power up their machines at home, like lawnmowers and generators, or vehicles such as boats and motorcycles.
While using a gas can, safety is paramount. It is important that you do not put your gas can near sources of heat or where small children and pets can access them.
In this piece, we guide you on how to use a gas can and break down different aspects of it.
Filling Your Gas Can at a Gas Station
You can easily fill your gas can at a gas station. Go to the gas pump station and place your can on the ground adjacent to it.
Putting your can on the ground is very important because gasoline usually possesses static electricity. While it is on the ground, any static electricity in the gasoline is able to disperse.
Do not fill your can on a plastic surface as sparks may happen and ignite the gasoline.
Afterward, safely remove the cap off the gas can and open the vent at the top as well. Place the cap on the floor near the gas can, then insert the nozzle of the gas pump into the can.
Continue to squeeze the pump to dispense gasoline into your gas can. Stop when the can is 95 percent full. Do not exceed this level as the empty space is necessary for the volume changes that may take place at varying temperatures.
Once the can is 95% full, remove the pump’s nozzle. Take the cap and seal the can tightly. Don’t forget to close the venting hole at the top as well. Your gas can should be properly closed.
Transporting the Gas Can
After you're done filling, the next step is to carry the gas can home. First, you need to ensure that the can is clean before you transport it. Use a wet cloth to wipe the external part of the can to ensure that no gasoline is on it.
It is very dangerous to put a gas can in an area that is poorly ventilated. As a result, don’t place the can in the passenger cabin of your car as you travel.
The vapors released by the gasoline can easily make the driver and other passengers in the car to feel weak and nauseated. This is very risky indeed.
Instead, you should place the gas can on the outside part of your vehicle. This is the best option for safety and proper ventilation. You can keep the can on the roof rack, or truck bed in an upright position with the release calve facing the back of the vehicle.
Use cables or other useful bracing objects to secure the can properly so that it won’t move during transport.
If you don’t have a roof rack or a flatbed truck, you can secure the gas can in the trunk of your vehicle.
As the temperatures rise, gasoline in the can expands. In this state, it might produce fumes to lessen the pressure in the container.
This increases the risk of ignition in your car should the gasoline come in contact with any electrical charges. To minimize the risks, transport the gas directly to where it is needed, and don't waste any time.
It is important to note that you should not store a can full of gasoline in a vehicle.
How to Use Your Gas Can Safely
Store the gas can in a cool place that is preferably not inside your house. As you know, heat can easily ignite gasoline, so ensure that you keep it under moderately cool temperatures at all times.
Never store the gas can in direct sunlight or adjacent to a heat source like a stove or heater. The ideal storage place is outside your house and in a well-ventilated area like a garage or tool shed.
When it comes to filling up machines, do it slowly and practice caution. Whether you're filling your lawnmower, motorcycle, generator, or any other device, be careful and accurate.
Start by removing the gas cap of the machine you intend to refill and put it aside. After that, undo the gas can's nozzle and insert it into the machine's gas tank.
Pour the gasoline at a slow pace to prevent any overflow. After you’re done, close the machine’s cap and the gas can’s nozzle properly.
Keep your gas can in a secure area and lock it if you can. Small children and pets should not be able to access it at all. Gasoline can cause severe effects if it breathed in or consumed by kids or animals.
Furthermore, children and pets might cause spills or accidents that could make the gasoline ignite.
In Conclusion, you should not store the gasoline for a long time, finish it in the same season that you purchase it. As time passes, gasoline may expand or wear down the container, which increases the risk of accidents.
Only buy as much as you require to avoid the consequences of leftover gasoline in the store.
