I don't know if this was a prank or by accident. A week or so ago I went to a gas station to purchase gas. Stuck my gas card in the slot, lifted the nozzle from the rack and, without paying any attention, punched the button for the gas grade (regular-unleaded) I always buy. Suddenly gas started to spill from the nozzle. Either by accident or a prank, someone had left the gas handle/nozzle locked in the on position.
I know normally the nozzle will automatically click itself into the off position when the purchase amount has been satisfied, especially, since all pumps are pre-pay even if you're not using a gas card, or not completely filling your tank, the amount of purchase is locked in from the register and will shut itself off.
I told the store clerk about the incident and that before I could shut the handle off, gas had spilled onto the lot, a small but significant amount.
Just a warning to anyone to pay attention when buying your gas and make sure the gas handle isn't locked in the off position before selecting your gas grade, which will automatically start the gas to flow even if you haven't placed the nozzle in your gas tank.
Although I'm not a smoker I have witnessed other patrons preparing to purchase gas with a lighted cigarette in their mouth. Either way, just thinking of all the possibilities disturbs me enough that I felt it worth mentioning.
Brenda Manghane~Washington