Beth Klein P.C.

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Defective Gas Cans and Kids

Gasoline storage cans can pose a serious danger to kids. Many gasoline storage cans are not structurally sound or child-proof, and they fall in a loophole in consumer safety laws. A study in Pediatrics (1997; vol. 99, p.e3) reported data on 25 gas can burn cases over a period of a year. 95% of the gas can burn victims were boys, and the average age of the children in the study was 2.7. Eleven of the children in the study dies as a result of their burn injuries.

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Defective Gas Can and Burn Injury Lawsuits

Our law firm has extensive experience in litigating product liability claims and burn injuries. At our personal injury law firm, we take pride in the fact that we limit the number of cases that we accept so that our clients get the service that they deserve. If you or a family member has suffered a burn injury, call our personal injury law firm for a free, private consultation.

Although the idea to design gas cans with child and spill proof devices is simple common sense, most gas cans sold in the United States lack these simple features. Consequently, hundreds of children under the age of five suffer severe burns or burn to death each year because of the lack of safety devices on most gas cans. Thousands of kids are poisoned by gasoline. Safety and consumer interest groups urge there is a critical need for child-resistant features on all gas cans. Look for these features:

So what caused the ignition of the cans and these serious injuries? The gas cans were ignited by a pilot light in all cases. In 21 of the cases, the source was a pilot light in a hot water heater; in 4 cases, the pilot light was in a gas dryer. The reason for the ignition was that in all 25 cases, the gas can was not structurally sound or child-proof. Standardization of leak proof cans was urged so that both vapors and liquid cannot escape. Further, cans should be stored in a well-ventilated are with no flame source within 50 feet of the can.

Gasoline can burn injuries cause 15,000 emergency department visits each year. We want to reduce that number, and here are links to pages with information about specifications for safe gas cans that can help prevent burn injuries:
Maine Air Quality - Spill Proof Gas Cans
NoSpill.com

Here are other ideas that can help:

  • Do not smoke where gasoline is handled or stored.
  • Always keep gasoline out of reach of children.
  • For better ventilation, it is best to handle gasoline outdoors.
  • Keep gasoline containers closed tightly.
  • Do not mix any gasoline with kerosene or diesel.
  • Do not use gasoline in kerosene heaters or lamps.
  • Store gasoline in a building separate from your home, such as a shed or garage.
  • Put gasoline in a small engine (like a lawnmower) only when the engine and attachments are cool.
  • Leave room in the container for gasoline to expand.

We will listen, and we will do what we can to help.

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