Gasoline is an important part of our everyday lives. It lets us run our cars and trucks, getting the kids to school. It helps us power our mowers and lawn care equipment. But gasoline can be dangerous if not handled or stored properly. Gasoline should only be used for its intended purpose - as a motor fuel - and stored only when absolutely necessary

Gasoline safety tips

• Use only approved portable containers for transporting or storing gasoline.
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store and use in well-ventilated area.
• Never use gasoline indoors.
• Don’t store it in the house.
• Never siphon gasoline by mouth.
• If swallowed, do not induce vomiting.
• Don't smoke, light matches, or use lighters while refueling.
• Vapors can be ignited by a spark or flame source many feet away.

Never dispose gasoline by pouring it onto the ground, into a sewer, street drain, stream or other water body, or putting it into the trash

For more information about the proper use, storing, and disposing gasoline or other flammable materials, contact the National Fire Protection Association at http://www.nfpa.org, the National Safety Council at http://www.nsc.org , or Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire