Date: March 27, 2023
Olympia – Flammable and combustible liquids are all around us – in the workplace, traveling on our highways, and even in our homes. The technical definition of flammable and combustible liquids refers to their flash points, which is the temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture with the air. Examples of these liquids include products such as gasoline, rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, hand sanitizer, and even cooking oils.
From 2019 to 2021, Washington State reported a total of 3,730 fires caused by flammable or combustible liquids.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office asks that you follow these safety tips:
• Store hazardous liquids away from any source of heat, sparks, or flame.
• Never smoke when working with flammable or combustible liquids.
• Store gasoline in a tightly capped approved container.
• Never bring gasoline indoors, even in small quantities.
• If you spill a flammable liquid on your clothing, place the clothing outside to dry before washing.
• Keep oil-based paints and flammable and combustible solvents in their original containers.
• Never dispense gasoline into a portable container when it is inside a vehicle or in a bed of a truck.
• When refueling a small engine, make sure that it is cool prior to adding fuel. Spilled fuel can easily ignite and cause burns.
For more information, contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 360-596-3929.
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