The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) warned Americans Wednesday not to put gasoline in plastic bags during the gas shortage.
“Do not fill plastic bags with gasoline,” the USCPSC said on Twitter. “Use only containers approved for fuel.”
Use only containers approved for fuel.
— US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) May 12, 2021
The organization also told people to “follow the gas canister manufacturer instructions for storing and transporting gasoline” and to “never pour gasoline over or near an open flame.” (RELATED: Experts Say There May Be An Impending Fuel Shortage On The East Coast)
“We know this sounds simple, but when people get desperate they stop thinking clearly,” said the USCPSC. “They take risks that can have deadly consequences. If you know someone who is thinking about bringing a container not meant for fuel to get gas, please let them know it’s dangerous.”
A video went viral on Twitter showing a woman filling plastic bags with gasoline and putting them into her car. The video has been viewed more than 2.1 million times.
Oh, shit. #gasshortage? Better pick up a couple extra bags. pic.twitter.com/a09ue2eQfK
— Fiendishly Yours, (@FiendishlyYours) May 11, 2021
Gas shortages began in several states across the East Coast after the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies nearly half of all fuel on the East Coast, was shut down Friday by a cyberattack. The shutdown prompted several governors, including Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, to declare a state of emergency.
Videos circulated on social media showed long lines at gas stations, and some people said that they waited hours to fill up their cars. Some local gas stations ran out of fuel altogether.