A woman online is racking up views after sharing a winter reminder about pumping gas, one she says could genuinely save a life.
Alexandra Hope Craig (@alexandra_hope_craig) posted what she called a "gas pump PSA," and she jumps right into the safety tip she wishes more drivers knew.
"Now that the winter, colder months are upon us, and static electricity travels more freely through the air," Craig says, "when you go to the gas pump, make sure that you ground yourself before touching the gas pump."
She explains that it matters most in the moment you’re about to put the nozzle into your tank or when you’re pulling it out. Craig says she decided to post the video after a scare at the pump a few days earlier.
"Thank God nothing happened," she says. She adds that the tiny "spark of electricity" you sometimes feel when you touch something and get that quick jolt can be enough to ignite a fire or explosion.
"I was reminded of this," she says, "when I went to grab the gas pump after pumping gas, I got shocked on the gas pump handle, and that can result in a tragic accident."
Her advice is simple. "Make sure you touch something else that’s metal, something else that grounds you, before you pump gas," she says.
As of this writing, the video has drawn more than 318,200 views.
How Often Do Gas Pump Fires Happen?
Gas pump fires are rare, but they do happen, and static electricity is usually the culprit. A small spark is enough to ignite gasoline vapors hanging around the pump, especially in colder, drier weather when static builds up more easily. It most often happens when someone steps back into their car while fueling, builds up a charge, then grabs the nozzle again without grounding themselves, as Craig warned.
There are a few easy ways to avoid this. For one, stay outside your car until you’re done fueling, as getting back in could recharge your body with static electricity.
If, for whatever reason, you have to get back in, be sure to touch the metal door frame with your bare hand before handling the gas nozzle so you’re grounded. Some experts even recommend skipping the distractions and keeping your phone tucked away.
And if you find yourself in the rare instance where a fire starts, do not pull the nozzle out. Instead, move everyone back, hit the pump’s emergency shut-off if you can, and get help immediately.
How Can I Ground Myself?
To prevent static electricity from sparking a fire at the gas pump, the key is grounding yourself. After getting out of your car, touch a metal part of the vehicle with your bare hand before you grab the nozzle. This safely releases any static charge you’ve built up.
Start by turning off your engine completely. Exit the car carefully without sliding across the seat, which can create static. Once on the ground, touch a metal surface to discharge the charge before handling the pump. And, again, stay outside the car while fueling.
Other precautions help too. For instance, never smoke or use open flames near the pump and avoid distractions like your phone while fueling. Following these steps is simple but can prevent a serious accident. Ground yourself, stay aware, and treat static electricity as a real hazard while refueling.
Viewers Share Tips For Safely Pumping Gas
People who watched Craig’s video praised her for highlighting the little-known gas station tip and added their own safety advice.
One viewer reminded others about a basic precaution.
"And please TURN OFF YOUR CAR before pumping gas," they wrote. "I’ve seen too many people put gas in with their engine still on."
Others jumped in to clarify what it means to ground yourself at the pump. "What does it mean to ground yourself?" one asked.
Another explained, "Make contact with something metal to get the static electricity out from your body."
A third added, "Since we have energy inside of us, grounded just pretty much means to release that energy that got built up (the static)."
Some commenters shared personal tips.
"Touch the top of your car!!" one wrote. "My parents taught me this."
Others reacted to the number of precautions people have to follow to stay safe.
"IT'S SO MANY RULES TO LIFE OMG BRO," one viewer complained. "NOW I'M SCARED," another added. A third joked, "Y’all come on here with something NEW everyday."
Motor1 has reached out to Craig via a direct message on TikTok. We'll update this if she responds.
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