HOUSTON – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a unique warning to people Wednesday amid the gas shortage affecting people across the nation.
Because of this shortage due to the cyberattack on a main pipeline, people are taking a page out of the 2020 toilet paper crisis and rushing to gas stations to fill up not only their vehicles, but also containers in order to have backup gasoline.
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According to the CPSC, desperate people do desperate things, so they issued a warning to not put gasoline in plastic bags.
“Use only containers approved for fuel,” the CPSC said in a series of tweets. “Follow the gas canister manufacturer instructions for storing and transporting gasoline.”
The CPSC also warned people to never pour gasoline over or near an open flame as that can result in a highly dangerous and potentially fatal flash fire.
“We know this sounds simple, but when people get desperate, they stop thinking clearly,” CPSC said in the tweets. “They take risks that can have deadly consequences. If you know someone who is thinking about bringing a container not meant for fuel to get gas, please let them know it’s dangerous.”
CPSC urges people not to attack others who might not be heeding the warning, but instead use the warning as a way to “reflect on safety in your own life.”
We know this sounds simple, but when people get desperate they stop thinking clearly. They take risks that can have deadly consequences. If you know someone who is thinking about bringing a container not meant for fuel to get gas, please let them know it's dangerous.
— US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) May 12, 2021