Out of all the things that happen in the daily life of a commuter, not much seems as mundane as stopping at a convenience store to buy fuel. Dodging irresponsible drivers zipping down the freeway seems a lot harder to do than getting a fill-up. However, the reality is that some convenience stores are filled with potential injury pitfalls, and you must be alert when making a stop. Below are some of the dangers and ways to protect yourself from the dangers at convenience stores:
At the pump
Americans use over one-third of a billion gallons of gasoline per day, and most of that fuel comes from the thousands of gas stations and convenience stores that dot the landscape. Most of the time, people use gas pumps without any real difficulty; however, you should understand the real hazards posed by gasoline.
Gasoline is a highly-flammable and toxic substance; the explosive potential contained in the average car's gas tank is roughly equivalent to two sticks of dynamite. In addition, gasoline fumes have been implicated as a possible carcinogen. These factors are why it is essential for you to protect yourself when filling up your car. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
Static electricity is capable of igniting gas fumes; don't get in and out of your car while fueling your vehicle. Repeated shuffling across your car seat can cause a buildup of static electricity that might discharge and create a fire.
Keep your face away from the fueling nozzle. Splashes of gasoline can cause severe eye irritation and the fumes can create short-term effects such as headaches, while the long-term consequences can be deadly.
Be cautious when using the automatic shutoff on the pump handle. The shutoff can be defective, and if you leave it unattended, it is possible for gasoline to overflow and spill out of your tank.
Walking around
You probably are well-aware how hectic it can be at a convenience store during rush hour. Commuters have getting to work or making it home on their minds, and that leads to distracted driving in a crowded environment. In addition, the presence of spilled petroleum products, food, and beverages is a real threat to your safety at poorly-maintained stores.
Since many convenience stores have poorly-marked parking and confusing traffic control measures in place, as well as the aforementioned messes, their confines become especially dangerous for customers walking to and from the gas pumps. If you find yourself at a busy convenience store, you need to increase your level of awareness in order to avoid being struck by a car or falling because of a spill. Here are some hints that can help:
Avoid walking closely to parked cars; keep yourself in the open, so you remain visible to other drivers without suddenly "popping out" from behind another vehicle.
Walk deliberately, and never run. Even though you may in a hurry, running is not worth the risk; it makes you unpredictable to others, and you also tend to become single-minded when in an extreme rush. Don't get distracted and hurt yourself due to tunnel vision.
Watch where you step at all times, even inside the store.
Try to wear rubber-soled shoes while walking outside of your car at a convenience store.
If you get hurt
Despite your best efforts, it is always possible to be injured due to another person's actions or the negligence of the store. If you do get hurt, get medical treatment first. However, you also should know what needs to be done to protect your legal rights. Contact an auto accident attorney for assistance, and allow them to provide you with guidance regarding your next steps.
Share29 December 2014
Too many single people assume they don't need to plan their estate. My brother fell into this category, and his unexpected passing left our entire family struggling to deal with his home, belongings, and financial accounts. It took nearly three years for the courts to set up a deal because he left no paperwork detailing how he wanted his estate divided. The situation immediately convinced me to work on my own estate, even though I'm still in my early 30's and don't have children or a spouse to worry about. Since it's a little harder to pick beneficiaries and estate managers when you're single, I collected the resources I used for making my own decisions and decided to publish them here on my blog. Use these resources before talking to an estate planning attorney so you're prepared for making hard decisions.