Petrol can easily catch fire and explode. It is also poisonous.

Swallowing petrol can make you feel sick, have diarrhoea, and/or vomit. And if you vomit, you can end up breathing in petrol fumes, which can cause even more damage. 

Petrol fumes

Petrol can evaporate quickly and turn into an invisible gas. This gas can easily catch fire and explode. Never smoke near petrol.

It is very dangerous to breathe in petrol fumes. The fumes can hurt your skin and eyes. They can also be absorbed into you body and damage other parts, like your brain, nervous system, lungs, and kidneys. Petrol fumes can make you pass out and, in extreme cases, they can kill you. 

Keeping safe around petrol

Help protect yourself, others, and the environment. Be especially careful whenever you are using petrol. 

• Keep petrol away from any kind of fire, including things that can spark, such as, electrical equipment like power tools or cell phones. Never smoke or use a lighter or any naked flame near petrol. 
• If you have to pour petrol, do so outside, not in a shed or garage. This will make it easier to avoid breathing in petrol fumes. 
• If any petrol gets on your clothes, get changed immediately. Leave the dirty clothes outside in the open air (not inside your house or garage) to allow the petrol to evaporate, then wash them separately to other laundry. Keep children and pets away from the clothes until the clothes are clean.
• Clean up any spill straight away. If you use rags to clean up a spill, leave them outside in the open air to allow the petrol to evaporate, then wash them separately to other laundry. Keep children and pets away from the rags until they are clean.
• Never use petrol to start or ‘help’ a fire. Petrol is too dangerous to be used like this. Only ever use a product that is made specifically for this purpose.
• Never use petrol as a cleaner. Use turpentine (turps) or another product that is made specifically for the purpose, such as for cleaning car parts.
• Never pour petrol or liquids contaminated with petrol down the drain. Contact your local council for advice on how to get rid of old petrol safely.
• It is important not to spill petrol. If you are filling a container with petrol, keep the container on a solid surface, like the ground, pour slowly, and keep the pourer in contact with the container at all times. 
• Never ever use your mouth to siphon petrol. If you got petrol in your lungs or stomach, you could get very sick – it might even kill you!
• Wear gloves when filling small fuel tanks for things like garden machinery, such as lawnmowers or water blasters. It is easy to spill when you’re filling something small. Gloves will help protect your skin.