I agree, hauling gas in the back of a truck is the correct way and we usually go straight to the gas station and then come home. This was just a case of combining errands. I didn't think much about the dangers until the firemen said something and they usually see the end results of all worst case scenarios. But they do post signs at gas stations to shut off the engines, put out cigarettes and turn off cell phones near the gas pumps. Of course I've seen people do just the opposite while pumping gas.

 Yep, I heard that actually did happen one time - somebody was talking on a cellphone and it caused an explosion. I wouldn't stick around if I saw someone smoking a cigarette around gasoline, though. People don't think past their noses sometimes. 

 

On a somewhat related question, what do you do with "old" gas? I have some chain saw and outboard motor fuel from years ago. I have looked for recycling stations, which do take oil, but they won't take old fuel. I have heard some say to just pour it into a metal pan, like an oil drain pan, and burn it up, a little at a time, in the driveway or open area. Maybe with a large fire extinguisher present, but I don't know. A neighbor said he puts it in his truck when the truck's tank is nearly full, so the gunk and shellac is diluted enough and it can burn in the engine. Sounds like a way to plug a fuel filter and lines to me, but I might try that for a few ounces at a time. Other suggestions? Thanks.

All of the gasoline that I buy for lawn equipment I put the fuel preservative in double-dose so it's (supposedly) good for two years. In practice none has been kept for more than one year, and at the change of seasons I put the remaining gas in the car or truck with a nearly full tank. No ill effects so far from that.

The only exception is the two-stroke fuel that has the oil and gasoline mixed. That I would never put in the car/truck as I am given to understand that doing so will damage the catalytic converter. But I use so little of that that it's easy to plan on not mixing too much at a time.

Randster:

On a somewhat related question, what do you do with "old" gas?

 

I can't find the EPA article, but I found a couple of sites that quoted this, supposedly from it: 

   1. Work outdoors away from open flame and sources of heat or sparks. Do not smoke or wear contact lenses while working with gasoline.
   2. Pour the old gasoline into a second container through a funnel lined with a coffee filter or two layers of a thin cloth to remove particles.
   3. When the filter is dry, throw it in the trash.
   4. Mix one part filtered gasoline with five parts new gasoline. You can pour the reconditioned gasoline directly into a tank of new gasoline that is at least three-quarters full.

 I checked with my resident Environmental Engineer(and EPA rep)and he suggests contacting your County Landfill and inquiring about a local hazardous waste turn in/recycling center to dispose of old gasoline(or any other haz waste product).  They will also have suggestions based on reuse.  : )

Brianschef Michelle 

 Talking on a phone doesn't cause explosions.  The only fear is that you drop the phone which might cause a spark.