Carrying a gas can in your car

When this happens, most people fill their gas tank up with the red plastic gas cans. But are these actually safe to carry around in your vehicle? What about if it is empty? We will look at these different situations in this article. An empty gas can may not be safe to keep in your vehicle because of the fumes emitted, and it not being emptied all of the way. According to CNBC, the gas vapor mixtures can explode inside these portable red containers and may cause significant injury to those in the vehicle.

A study by Worcester Polytechnic Institute shows that even a low level of gasoline inside the can has potential to create an explosion when it comes into contact with a spark or a flame. The vapor around the outside of the containers causes a flashback inside the gas can, and that mixture can cause an explosion.

Another potential danger of transporting gasoline in your vehicle is illnesses due to inhalation. Gas contains carbon monoxide, which can give you headaches, nausea, and flulike symptoms.

Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can make you extremely ill, so it is best not to keep a full or empty gas can in your vehicle. If you absolutely must carry a gas can, whether full or empty, tie the can up right to the top of your vehicle on the car rack.

This area is well ventilated, and fumes will not accumulate inside of the vehicle. However, the less fuel you transport in a gas canister, the safer you will be. If you only need a gallon, get a gas can that holds that volume and nothing more. There are two benefits to transporting the gas outside. First, you eliminate the hazard of inhaling gasoline fumes. Second, the dangers your vehicle poses are more apparent to first responders.

To affix your canister to the exterior of your vehicle, you can buy adapters, like this one found on Amazon , to mount a gas can to either that back or roof of your car or tie it to an existing roof rack. If you have a truck, secure your gas can within the exterior bed. You want to secure the gas can so that it will not wobble, fall, or otherwise shift during transport. The vented nozzle should face backward to prevent any leakages during a sudden stop.

Sometimes, it is unavoidable to transport extra fuel in your vehicle. However, if you can follow these practices, you will limit the negative consequences associated with this hazardous activity. Transporting a gas can in your car can be a highly dangerous action that can have serious health consequences. When driving with a gas can, try to affix it to the exterior of your car, or at least open a window next to it to provide adequate ventilation, so you do not inhale vapors.

Never transport gasoline in your trunk — these are poorly ventilated areas that are prone to sparks during a rear-end collision, which will ignite the fuel and burn you and your car. Always remember that you are traveling with a highly volatile, flammable liquid and drive cautiously with that in mind. For your safety, never transport more fuel than you need. Gas cans generally come in two formats: plastic or metal. The plastic models are made from high-density polyethylene HDPE , which is a thermoplastic polymer.

They are thick and robust and are designed to tolerate the chemicals in gasoline without eroding, which will happen with other plastics. HDPE is also challenging to puncture. Metallic gas cans are typically steel with anticorrosive and antistatic qualities. Gasoline will last for months when stored in a gas can, although this time frame is dependent on the fuel grade and the storage conditions.

Regardless of how you preserve your fuel, it will decay over time if a stabilizer is not added. Reduced fuel capacity over time occurs because octane, the energy molecule in fuel, degrades at a constant and predictive rate.

The Canada Safety Council doesn't recommend keeping gas inside your vehicle. So what's left? If you have a truck, you can safely keep a gas container in the bed of the pickup. And, if you have an SUV, you can get a metal Jerry can mount installed on the back of your vehicle.

When you're filling up a container, take it out of your vehicle. It must come into contact with the ground in order to eliminate any chance of static electricity igniting fuel vapours. And leave some room in the can. Better yet? Don't run out of gas. Make sure you fill up early, especially if you're on a long road trip — don't test that number that shows the number of kilometres you have left on your tank. Samantha Volz has been involved in journalistic and informative writing for over eight years.

She holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with a minor in European history. In college she was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper and completed a professional internship with the "Williamsport Sun-Gazette," serving as a full-time reporter.

She resides in Horsham, Pennsylvania. Step 1. Step 2.