The National Gasoline Safety Project

The National Gasoline Safety Project (www.StopGasFires.org) is a national safety outreach of the Portable Fuel Container Manufacturers Association. The Project is working with parents and community groups to reduce burn injuries to children by promoting safe gasoline handling practices and specifically spreading the message that gasoline and fire never mix.

The vast majority of parents today do not use gasoline to start fires, according to a national independent survey. But the study found that parents who do use gas to start fires mistakenly think it’s something "everybody" does. These parents are also twice as likely as other parents to think it’s hard to start a fire without gas.

"We just want to make sure the truth is loud and clear. Most parents do not use gas to start fires. If people think it’s a common thing to do, they’re fooling themselves," said Dr. James Johnson, a burn care surgeon from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who supports the cause. "Ironically, the research shows that even parents who use gas to start fires know it’s not safe to do. They are putting their kids at risk."

Though gasoline burn data is not directly tracked, the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System estimates 1,500 children a year are injured or killed in gasoline fires, according to monitored hospital admissions. Overall, 14,500 Americans die each year from burn injuries and burn-related infections.

The National Gasoline Safety Project aims to put an end to gas fires and burns through parent-to-parent outreach. The initiative includes a website, StopGasFires.org, that allows parents to view a video about a teenage gas burn survivor and connect with others parents though email, Facebook and Twitter. StopGasFires.org also features an Organizers site where parents and other community leaders can find the tools they need to spread the message. Additionally, parents who may need tips on how to start a fire ( or, if they know someone who does) may visit RealMenRealFires.com.

The National Gasoline Safety Project has also placed hangtags on new portable gasoline fuel containers sold in the United States to remind parents that gas and fire never mix. The hangtags feature Johnson as well as firefighters, a burn survivor and others who are working to stop gas fires.

StopGasFires.org is a program of the National Gasoline Safety Project, which is sponsored by the Portable Fuel Container Manufacturers Association in partnership with Shriners Hospitals for Children and Safe Kids USA. Participating PFCMA members include Blitz U.S.A., Midwest Can, No-Spill, Scepter, and Wedco.