How to Store Gas Cans
While it's handy to keep a few gallons of gasoline at home for yard work, for a backup generator or for any number of other purposes, gasoline is highly explosive and dangerous. Proper storage of gasoline is essential if you want to keep your home and family safe. However, if you take the right precautions and keep some common safety rules in mind, storing gasoline canisters at home can be safe and practical. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Check your gas cans and make sure they're free of damage and certified to store gasoline safely. It will say on the container whether the container is approved for gasoline storage. Don't use any other container to store gasoline. An unapproved container could be damaged by the gasoline, leak or puncture.
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Determine where to store the gas cans. The area needs to be cool, well-ventilated and out of direct sunlight. Never store gas inside your home or basement. If possible, store it in a separate shed, garage or other external structure. The location must be away from electrical outlets, if possible.
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Fill and store only a few gas canisters at a time. Storing more than 10 to 15 cans on your property is dangerous and may violate the gas storage codes in your state. Talk to a fire official or your local fire department for more specific details about the gas storage codes in your area.
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Put gas stabilizer into the gasoline as soon as possible. Gasoline has a short shelf life. Gas stabilizer prolongs this and can be purchased at most hardware stores. Keep your gasoline stock in rotation to maintain freshness and usability. If a month or two goes by and you still don't use the gas, put it in your car's gas tank and refill the container. Bad gas can harm an engine, so this is important.
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Regularly check the gas cans in storage for damage, leaks or signs of wear. Always make sure the area is ventilated.
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Tips & Warnings
Gasoline is highly hazardous. Always use proper safety equipment like gloves and safety glasses when handling gas canisters.
References
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Comments
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I can't find any regulations or standards for the proper storage of an empty gas can. The can is currently not in use and fairly new. Is it allowable to store on a shelf empty, purged, and marked as empty?
