The Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) and the American Petroleum Institute (API) have developed a nationwide campaign aimed at increasing public awareness of a potential fire hazard during gasoline refueling caused by the discharge of static electricity at the fill point of a vehicle. The groups are also encouraging motorists to follow all safe refueling guidelines with every fill-up.

Static electricity build-up occurs when a motorist slides across the vehicle seat when they re-enter their vehicle during refueling. When the motorist then returns to the vehicle fill pipe, the static may discharge at the fill point, potentially causing a fire.

Americans fill up their vehicles an estimated 11 billion times a year, the number of refueling fires caused by static discharge are extremely rare. These fires have occurred, however, and there have been injuries and property damage as a result. So it is important that the industry and the general public are aware that these incidents have happened. The best way to avoid the problem is to not get back into your vehicle during refueling. Staying Safe at the Pump