Fueling up with kids in the car

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Fueling up with kids in the car

jpoc

1043 posts

Uber Geek

#171778 30-Apr-2015 20:50

I know that refueling fires are rare but they do happen.

If NZ matches European nations proportionally there will be one or two every year or so here.

I was filling up one of my cars today. I could have saved a few minutes by going to the pump on the way home from picking my wife up from work but I do not accept filling the tank with passengers in the car so I dropped her off at home and went out to the pumps by myself.

As I was there, a young woman pulled up at the pump behind me. I noticed that she had two kids in the back. Both looked to be about 2 years old - perhaps twins. They were in car seats, strapped in nice 'n tight and both were asleep.

Realising that their presumed mother was going to fill the tank with the two kiddies sleeping and strapped in in the back seat, I idly wondered if she had already decided which one she loved the most in case of fire.

Then she plipped the remote and locked the doors and I understood that she really did not love either of them enough to care about what to do in the event of fire.

Do you fill your tank while your friends and family are sitting in the car?

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Networkn
32252 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1294555 30-Apr-2015 20:57

If you are worried about the chances of them catching fire whilst fuelling up, you'd NEVER let them in the car while you drove, seeing as the likelyhood of an accident is considerably higher. I conclude you don't love your kids at all! :)

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#1294557 30-Apr-2015 20:57

Yes, why not? I am right next to the car. Do you drive with your family in the car? What if it catches fire while driving, there have been plenty of instances of this around the world? Or you have an accident? They could get hurt.

driller2000

935 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1294558 30-Apr-2015 20:58

are you serious?

the MUCH bigger risk to life and limb comes from being in a car on the road.

MikeB4

18435 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#1294560 30-Apr-2015 20:59

I find it quite arrogant that you judge that she does not love her children when you don't know her and don't know her circumstances.

Talkiet

4787 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1294564 30-Apr-2015 21:06

I'd suggest the extra time you spent on the road dropping your wife off at home and going back for fuel yourself posed a bigger risk of robbing your wife of her husband than of having a refueling fire...

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#1294567 30-Apr-2015 21:12

Do you suffer from anxiety?

I'm guessing so. You are projecting your condition / fears onto her , and it is unfair conclude she is being reckless with her childrens lives.

LennonNZ

2458 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#1294575 30-Apr-2015 21:22

Have a read of http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/2005/pdf/Static_Fires.pdf

Most Petrol Pump Fires are usually started by Static. For example people getting in/out of cars after starting the petrol and causing static sparks and the number of accidents is so small.

Its Probably safer to actually do what she did (lock the doors) than to leave the doors open in case the kids get out from the car and makes it safe so no one can get into the car whilst she is paying for the Petrol.

Compare to the number of road deaths in the World (Around 1 Million per year) Let alone the number of non death accidents.

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#1294576 30-Apr-2015 21:29

LennonNZ: Have a read of http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/2005/pdf/Static_Fires.pdf

I took a read....and this is interesting.....

A review of the literature revealed that, between 1993 and 2004, there were 243 reported
incidents of fires breaking out at petrol stations around the world. Although the fires were
claimed to be caused by exploding mobile phones, experts have subsequently revealed that
not one of the incidents was associated with telecommunication equipment.

So, petrol stations ban mobile phone use yet there is no evidence that they cause fires at the pump.

quandum

204 posts

Master Geek

#1294577 30-Apr-2015 21:32

jpoc: I know that refueling fires are rare but they do happen. If NZ matches European nations proportionally there will be one or two every year or so here. I was filling up one of my cars today. I could have saved a few minutes by going to the pump on the way home from picking my wife up from work but I do not accept filling the tank with passengers in the car so I dropped her off at home and went out to the pumps by myself. As I was there, a young woman pulled up at the pump behind me. I noticed that she had two kids in the back. Both looked to be about 2 years old - perhaps twins. They were in car seats, strapped in nice 'n tight and both were asleep. Realising that their presumed mother was going to fill the tank with the two kiddies sleeping and strapped in in the back seat, I idly wondered if she had already decided which one she loved the most in case of fire. Then she plipped the remote and locked the doors and I understood that she really did not love either of them enough to care about what to do in the event of fire. Do you fill your tank while your friends and family are sitting in the car?

Can I have some of whatever it is that you're on....

By the way do you ever wonder how and when they refuel planes?

I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code

#BOFH

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
12999 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lizard Networks

Subscriber

#1294579 30-Apr-2015 21:34

surfisup1000:
LennonNZ: Have a read of http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/2005/pdf/Static_Fires.pdf

I took a read....and this is interesting.....

A review of the literature revealed that, between 1993 and 2004, there were 243 reported
incidents of fires breaking out at petrol stations around the world. Although the fires were
claimed to be caused by exploding mobile phones, experts have subsequently revealed that
not one of the incidents was associated with telecommunication equipment.

So, petrol stations ban mobile phone use yet there is no evidence that they cause fires at the pump.

i kinda find the mobile phone ban a bit of a joke, in this age, how often are you likely to have an active data session right there in your pocket while your filling up..

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1294580 30-Apr-2015 21:35

I always play it safe and make the kids put their ciggies out before I start to fill up.

Handle9

11276 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1294585 30-Apr-2015 21:40

Wow. Paranoid much?

Saying that just because you're paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get you....

jonb

1769 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1294592 30-Apr-2015 21:46

Is this an elaborate troll?
I have my kids in the car almost every time I refuel, and have never had such thoughts.

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek

#1294600 30-Apr-2015 21:53

I prefer to leave kids in the car for a number of reasons, mainly it is safer and less toxic than dragging kids out onto a forecourt with cars maneuvering all around oblivious of small kids not to forget the fumes all around. Servos also have plenty of extinguishers (yes there is at least one by every main entrance door)

I also guess you have never tried to wrestle two small kids out of a car, fill a tank, pay for it and get them back strapped in anytime recent?

Loismustdye

925 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1294602 30-Apr-2015 21:57

My main concern when refueling is making sure my can of cody's premix isnt visable to those outside the vehicle, guess that makes me a bad Dad for prioritising that over a fuel fire.

I'm not sure whether you are serious or not......

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5