MOBILE, AL (March 9, 2022) — The rising cost of fuel is at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
On Tuesday, March 8, President Joe Biden ordered a ban on Russian oil imports as the U.S. continues to issue sanctions against Russia for its invasion into Ukraine.
As of Wednesday, March 9, the national average for a regular gallon of gas in the U.S. rose to $4.25, up 8 cents from the previous day, according to AAA.
So, what can you do about the rising cost of gas?
First, learn from last year’s gas shortage panic, and don’t fill water bottles or plastic bags to stock up on gasoline. Experts at Scepter, a gas can manufacturer, encourage people to invest in rugged, safe fuel containers.
“Safety should always be the highest priority when handling gasoline or other fuels,” says Dan Marshall, vice president of marketing and business development with Scepter. “You simply cannot safely fill up and transport open containers of fuel. Buckets, milk jugs and other household items are not meant to handle fuel.
“For safety sake, you should never use any container other than a tested, certified fuel container for fuel storage. The multi-layered construction of approved fuel containers [is] the only way to safely transport and store fuel.”
Respecting Fuel Safety
Before heading to the gas station, it’s important to bring a safe container — one that eliminates dangers during accidental spills.
A dropped bucket, bag or another unreliable container with gasoline could cause an environmental, safety or potential fire situation.
Conversely, options like Scepter’s SmartControl containers are made in America and designed to substantially exceed the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission’s minimum standards.
Each product includes child safety locks and a flame mitigation device for added protection. And, as required by the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, it has integrated barrier layers to keep dangerous fumes from leaking or igniting.
One-, two- and five-gallon SmartControl fuel containers feature a unique push spout for fast pours without spills.
With a single motion, you can press the lever up to unlock the child safety feature with the palm of the hand, and squeeze the large button. First, squeeze the container when upright to vent the container. Then, place the nozzle over the tank. A second squeeze allows users to pour just the right amount.
Precedence for Fuel Safety
In 2020, President Trump signed into law the Portable Fuel Container Safety Act. The law requires portable fuel containers, including plastic gas cans, to have flame mitigation devices, which help prevent explosions inside them.
These devices prevent the rare occurrence of a flame-igniting vapor inside a container. Further, they allow a container to safely and effectively function and meet the other portable container safety standards.
