32 THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF LIGHT 



36. Oil May be Dangerous when Standing in the Can. The 



following facts must be kept constantly in mind by all users 

 of petroleum products: 



1. Any oil is a dangerous oil and must be kept away from all 

 fires or open flames if it has a flashing point which is at or below 

 the highest temperature ever attained by the room or building in 

 which it is stored. 



2. In fact, merely removing the can of oil from the room does 

 not remove all of the danger. If the room has been closed for 

 some time, the vapor which has escaped may have saturated the 

 air in the closets, cupboards, or even trunks, and this saturated 

 air will explode when ignited. 



3. Gasoline has a flashing point far below the temperature of 

 any living room. If the can is not air tight, the vapor of the 

 gasoline is certain to escape into the room. Unless the room is 

 very well ventilated, the air in it may become so saturated with the 

 vapor of the gasoline that it will burn with an explosion when 

 ignited. In its low flashing point lies the danger of using 

 gasoline. 



4. The flashing point of legal kerosene is sufficiently above 

 the ordinary temperatures so that no corresponding danger 

 exists in its use. 



37. May Gasoline be Used with Comparative Safety? 

 Yes, by observing the following precautions: 



1. Keep the main can of gasoline in some well-ventilated out- 

 building. 



2. // the can must be kept in the living rooms, see that it is 

 corked as tight as possible, that it is in as cool a place as possible, 

 and that the room is well ventilated. 



3. Never take a flame of any kind near the can, nor near any 

 large quantity of gasoline. 



4. Never attempt to fill a gasoline stove or lamp by lamp light. 



5. In case gasoline is spilled by accident, or has leaked from 

 the receptacle, open wide the doors and windows of the room to 

 change the air completely before bringing a flame into the room. 

 Also thoroughly ventilate all cupboards and closets in which 



