AS FUEL shortages continue to make headlines workplace equipment supplier Slingsby has seen sales of jerry cans treble over the last fortnight and as a result the company has compiled a list of safety guidelines for anyone stockpiling fuel at home.
Even though strike action over the Easter bank holiday seems to have been ruled out, the threat sill looms with The Unite Union disputing safety standards and working terms for tanker drivers and petrol retailers continue to report soaring sales and problems replenishing stocks to meet demand.
Lee Wright, Marketing Director of Slingsby which supplies 35,000 products online and through its catalogues, explains: “Sales of jerry cans to the domestic market have gone crazy since talk of a strike by tanker drivers began. When this is combined with the huge volumes of petrol and diesel that fuel retailers have sold in the last few days and continued fears over potential strike action it seems that a large proportion of people have listened to the Government’s controversial advice and are storing fuel at home.
“We would always advise against stockpiling fuel because the explosion and fire risks can be disastrous but if someone is adamant that they want to store fuel at home there are a number of guidelines that should always be followed.”
Slingsby has compiled the following advice that anyone storing fuel should follow:-
• Approved containers that are specifically designed for fuel must be used that are marked and fitted with a secure cap to prevent leakage of liquid and fuel vapours.
• The maximum amount of fuel that can be legally stored at a domestic address is 30 litres which must be kept in two 10 litre metal containers and two plastic containers with a maximum capacity of five litres each.
• Using other combinations of containers, such as three, 10 litre metal containers or six of the five litre containers is illegal.
• These limits also apply to any containers kept in vehicles parked in a garage or on a driveway.
• Any fuel stored at home should be kept in a garage or shed that is either detached from the main living accommodation. If it is an adjoining building it should be separated by a fire door.
• If fuel is left outside it should be no more than six metres from your house.
• Never store fuel in the living area of your home.
