Omar Khalid
In 2021, a video from 2019 resurfaced on social media showing a woman filling plastic bags with gasoline at a Kroger gas station in Houston, Texas. The video was shared alongside false claims that it depicted someone panic-buying gasoline due to shortages in the Southeastern U.S. caused by a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline. While the video itself is real, officials warn that putting gasoline in plastic bags is dangerous and advise against using anything other than approved containers for fuel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| People putting gas in plastic bags | This has happened in the past, with photos and videos circulating online since 2019. |
| Location | Photos and videos were taken in Mexico, Alabama, and Houston, Texas. |
| Reasons | Gas shortages, panic-buying, and hoarding. |
| Risks | Gasoline can dissolve certain plastics, leading to spillage. Exposure to a spark can trigger a fire. |
| Official Recommendations | Use a Transportation Department-approved container with a proper lid for flammable liquids. Do not pour gas near an open flame. Do not hoard gasoline. |
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What You'll Learn
Viral photos of people putting gas in plastic bags are often misleading
Several viral photos and videos of people filling plastic bags with gasoline have been circulated online. While some of these images are genuine, they are often shared with misleading information and taken out of context.
One such image, purportedly showing the trunk of a car carrying plastic bags filled with fuel, went viral on social media in May 2021. The photo was shared with captions suggesting that it was taken in South Carolina or Alabama amid gas shortages caused by the Colonial Pipeline shutdown. However, fact-checking by USA Today and AP News revealed that the photo was actually taken in Mexico in 2019 and was unrelated to the Colonial Pipeline issue. The photo was reportedly taken after two men were arrested for allegedly stealing gasoline from a gas station in Huauchinango, Mexico.
Another viral video from 2021, showing a woman filling a white plastic bag with gas at a Kroger station, was also shared with misleading information. The video first surfaced online in 2019 and was taken in Houston, Texas. Social media users shared the video with captions falsely claiming that it showed someone panic-buying gasoline due to the Colonial Pipeline shutdown.
In response to these viral images and concerns about gas shortages, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning on Twitter: "Do not fill plastic bags with gasoline. Use only containers approved for fuel." They emphasized that using plastic bags for gasoline is dangerous and can have deadly consequences. The commission's advice was echoed by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who warned against hoarding gasoline and emphasized the importance of using approved containers.
While the photos and videos of people putting gas in plastic bags are often misleading, the CPSC acknowledged that people may resort to desperate measures during fuel shortages. They urged individuals to prioritize safety and use only approved containers for gasoline to avoid life-threatening risks.
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People have put gas in plastic bags in Mexico
People have indeed put gasoline in plastic bags, and this has happened in Mexico. In March 2019, a photograph was taken showing several plastic bags filled with gasoline in the trunk of a black car. The photo, which went viral online, was reportedly of stolen gasoline seized by police in Huauchinango, Mexico, about 100 miles northeast of Mexico City. Two men were arrested for allegedly stealing the gasoline from a gas station.
In December 2019, a video surfaced online of a woman filling a plastic bag with gasoline at a Kroger gas station in Houston, Texas. The video, which received nearly 2 million views, showed the woman trying to tie a plastic bag sloshing with gasoline. This video was also shared in 2021, falsely claiming to show someone panic-buying gasoline in the Southeastern US.
While it is true that people have put gasoline in plastic bags, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned against this dangerous practice. Gasoline can dissolve certain kinds of plastic, leading to further spillage, and if exposed to a spark, it could trigger a life-threatening fire. The CPSC recommends using only containers approved for fuel to ensure safety.
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Gas shortages can spur hoaxes online
The CPSC's warnings were prompted by the spread of misleading and false information during a time of heightened anxiety due to gas shortages. In May 2021, the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies about 45% of the East Coast's fuel, was hit by a ransomware attack, causing fuel shortages and panic buying in the southeastern United States. This led to long lines and high prices at gas stations, with people rushing to secure fuel supplies. Social media platforms became a breeding ground for misinformation, with old videos and images being shared out of context to depict the current crisis.
The video of the woman filling a plastic bag with gas received millions of views and sparked concerns about the safety of such practices. The CPSC spokesperson Joe Martyak acknowledged that while they had received no reports of people filling plastic bags with gas during the 2021 shortages, it didn't mean it wasn't happening. He emphasized the dangers of gasoline in plastic bags, including the risk of spillage and the potential for a life-threatening fire if exposed to a spark.
The spread of these hoaxes and misinformation during a gas shortage highlights the potential for dangerous behavior and the need for accurate information to be disseminated by official sources. While the CPSC's warnings may seem obvious to some, they are crucial in ensuring public safety and preventing harmful consequences. It is essential for individuals to exercise critical thinking when encountering such content online and to verify the information through reliable sources before sharing or acting upon it.
The gas shortages and the associated hoaxes also draw attention to the broader issue of panic buying and hoarding. Officials, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, urged people not to hoard gasoline, emphasizing that it does not alleviate the situation. Instead, sensible behavior and following official guidelines for fuel storage and usage are recommended to navigate such crises safely.
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Gasoline can dissolve certain plastics, leading to spillage
It is not advisable to fill plastic bags with gasoline. Gasoline can dissolve certain plastics, leading to further spillage. This can be extremely dangerous, as gasoline is highly flammable and can easily ignite when exposed to a spark, causing a life-threatening fire or explosion.
In 2019, a video surfaced online of a woman filling a plastic bag with gasoline at a Kroger gas station. The video resurfaced in 2021 during a gas shortage in the Southeastern United States caused by a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline. This led to people speculating that panic-buying of gas would result in people resorting to unsafe practices, such as storing gasoline in plastic bags.
Indeed, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) tweeted warnings against filling plastic bags with gasoline during this time. They emphasized that using containers not meant for fuel can have deadly consequences. The CPSC spokesperson, Joe Martyak, stated that while they had received no reports of people filling plastic bags with gas during the shortages, it didn't mean it wasn't happening, and they wanted to prevent it for everyone's safety.
It is crucial to use only containers approved for fuel, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM)-approved safety cans. These containers are designed to withstand the pressures of expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes and are sealed to prevent spilling. Additionally, gasoline should be stored in a well-ventilated area separate from the house, away from any sources of ignition.
While it may be necessary to carry a container of gasoline in a vehicle, it is important to minimize the amount and secure the container to prevent it from sliding around or tipping over during sudden movements.
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Gas hoarding in the US has occurred due to pipeline shutdowns
In May 2021, a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies about 45% of the East Coast's fuel, led to a shutdown that triggered widespread panic buying and gas hoarding. As gas stations ran out of fuel, social media posts circulated, showing vehicles with trunks packed with plastic bags filled with gasoline. However, it was later revealed that these images were from earlier years and unrelated to the Colonial Pipeline shutdown.
The CPSC cautioned that when people get desperate, they may engage in risky behavior, such as using containers not meant for fuel. Gasoline can dissolve certain plastics, leading to spillage, and if exposed to a spark, it could result in a life-threatening fire. The commission advised using only Transportation Department-approved containers with proper lids for handling flammable liquids.
The situation led to a surge in gas prices and long lines at gas stations. Experts attributed the shortages primarily to panic buying and hoarding. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg echoed the CPSC's warning, stating, "Hoarding does not make things better." He urged people to refrain from hoarding gasoline and emphasized that it should only be put into vehicles directly or approved containers.
While the specific incident of the viral image was misleading, it highlights the dangers of gas hoarding and the importance of following official safety guidelines. Gas hoarding can exacerbate supply disruptions and create further challenges during pipeline shutdowns. It is crucial for individuals to remain sensible and informed during such emergencies, ensuring that safety recommendations from official sources are followed to prevent hazardous situations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is evidence that people have put gas in plastic bags. In 2019, a video surfaced of a woman filling a plastic bag with gasoline at a Kroger gas station in Houston, Texas. There is also a photo from the same year of a car trunk filled with plastic bags of gasoline.
The video and photo of people putting gas in plastic bags surfaced during a time of gas shortages in the United States. The shortages were caused by a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies about 45% of the East Coast's fuel. People were panic-buying gasoline and hoarding it.
No, it is not safe to put gas in plastic bags. Gasoline can dissolve certain kinds of plastic, leading to further spillage. If the gas is exposed to a spark, it could trigger a life-threatening fire. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned against putting gas in plastic bags, stating that it is a dangerous practice that can have deadly consequences.
Gasoline should only be stored in approved containers meant for fuel. The Transportation Department recommends using a container with a proper lid that is approved for handling flammable liquids.
