Gas can explosions a threat

Critics of the gas container industry say that the addition of a flame arrester could go a long way in the prevention of injury and death caused by gas cans.

The tiny device, which is a simple piece of wire mesh placed inside the spout of the can, helps prevent the escape of vapors that can ignite if near a spark.

Despite the dangers associated with gas cans that do not have flame arresters, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has never recalled any of these products, which have been blamed for violent explosions due to the flawed design.

Many manufacturers and retailers have been ignoring pleas from victims and their families to regulate the gas can industry and mandate that all plastic gas cans include flame arresters.

Testing by the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms found that 13 out of 17 gas cans exploded - even when they were being used in what was considered a safe manner - with flames that shot out over 13 feet. In addition, burning gasoline from the cans splattered over five feet.

Many gas can explosion victims have focused litigation on retailers, since many of them knowingly continue to sell the products without the safety features.