Dos and Dont’s When You’ve Accidentally Spilled Gasoline on Yourself

Last updated on December 17th, 2024 at 05:32 pm

Gasoline is a highly flammable liquid that can cause serious harm if it comes into contact with your skin. Accidents happen, and knowing what to do can help prevent injuries and keep you safe.

While we hope you never need this information, it’s always good to be prepared.

What to do if You’ve Accidentally Spilled Gasoline on Yourself

Dos: Steps to Stay Safe

Even though it could be frightening, there are some things you can do to limit the harm and stay safe. Here are the five “dos” when you’ve accidentally spilled gasoline on yourself.

• Do stay calm. It may be hard not to panic when you’ve accidentally spilled gasoline on yourself, but keeping a level head is crucial. Panicking can lead to poor decisions, so remind yourself that you can handle the situation.
• Do remove any clothing that’s soaked in gas. It’s important to get the gas off of your skin as soon as possible. After removing the gasoline-soaked clothing, put it in a sealed bag to prevent the fumes or residue from spreading.
• Do wash the affected area with soap and water. Once you’ve removed any clothing (and jewelry) that’s soaked in gas, it’s time to wash the affected area. Removing gas smell and other harmful substances from gas can be difficult, but it’s important. Gasoline can linger on jewelry and other surfaces, so cleaning them thoroughly is essential to avoid further exposure.
• Do seek medical assistance if you have any symptoms. You should get medical attention right away if you begin to feel ill or have symptoms like headache, nausea, lightheadedness, or dizziness. If you inhale gasoline fumes, you could even experience difficulty breathing, so don’t wait if you do need to get medical help. 
• Do call your local poison control center. When in doubt, reach out to your local poison control center for expert advice. They can help you determine the best next steps based on your situation.

Spilled gasoline should always be taken seriously. It’s essential to stay calm and take the proper steps to ensure your safety.

Don’ts: What to Avoid

If you’ve spilled gasoline on yourself, avoid these common mistakes:

• DON’T touch anything. If you’ve accidentally spilled gasoline on yourself, don’t touch anything. Gasoline is highly flammable, and if you come into contact with anything that’s even remotely hot, you could ignite the gas and cause a fire.  
• DON’T move. Stay as still as possible to avoid generating static electricity or creating a spark. If you must move, do so slowly and carefully.
• DON’T use your cell phone. Using your cell phone may seem harmless, but it can be dangerous. If you have gasoline on your hands, your phone could generate sparks which could ignite the gas and cause a fire. Wait to use your phone until your hands are clean and you’re sure no gasoline residue remains.
• DON’T use your clothes dryer. Your clothes dryer is a convenient way to dry your clothes, but it’s very dangerous if you’ve accidentally spilled gasoline on them. The heat produced by clothes dryers has the potential to start a fire if you have gas on your clothing. 
• DON’T forget to ventilate. Lastly, don’t forget to ventilate the area where you’ve spilled the gasoline. Gas is highly flammable, and the fumes could ignite and cause a fire without adequate ventilation–not to mention the danger of breathing the fumes. So, open a window or door to let the fumes out if the spill happens in an enclosed area. If you can smell gasoline, that means there’s still danger, so be careful.

How to prevent gas spills in the future

Taking the right precautions can help you avoid gasoline spills and protect yourself, others, and the environment. Here are some tips to prevent accidents:

1. Use proper storage containers.
   Store gasoline in approved containers with tight lids. Label the container clearly, and keep it away from heat sources.
2. Dispose of gasoline properly.
   Never pour gasoline on the ground or into drains. Take old or excess gasoline to a designated disposal facility.
3. Inspect your gas tank regularly.
   If you notice leaks, have them repaired by a professional immediately to prevent spills or dangerous fumes.
4. Be prepared for emergencies.
   Keep absorbent materials, like sand or cat litter, on hand to quickly clean up spills. Learn how to shut off the flow of gasoline if an accident does occur.
5. Stay informed.
   Understand the risks of gasoline and educate yourself on how to handle it safely.

By following these steps, you can reduce the risk of accidents and keep yourself and your community safe.

Wrapping Up

Accidentally spilling gasoline can be a scary experience, but knowing what to do can make all the difference. Stay calm, act quickly, and follow the dos and don’ts outlined here. Prevention is just as important, so handle gasoline responsibly to avoid accidents.

Also read:
4 Tips for Creating a Well-Stocked, Custom First Aid Kit for Your Family

You can also find MomsWhoSave on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. Join us for updates.

Don’t miss a thing! Subscribe to MomsWhoSave’s newsletter.