Safety precautions when refuelling gas at the station

I get the jitters every time I see someone using the phone at a petrol station. Yes, there are people who are still ignorant of the fact that phones can start a fire. Received another email reminder yesterday and thought I'd pass it along here. The email says:

Please send this information to ALL your family & friends, especially those who have kids in the car with them while pumping gas. If this were to happen, they may not be able to get the children out in time.

MUST READ, EVEN IF YOU DON'T OWN A CAR.

Shell Oil Comments - A MUST READ!

Safety Alert!
Here's some reasons why we don't allow cell phones in operating areas, propylene oxide handling and storage area, propane, gas and diesel refuelling areas.

The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fuelling operations

In the first case, the phone was placed on the car's trunk lid during fuelling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the gasoline pump.

In the second, an individual suffered severe burns to their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while refuelling their car!

And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in their pocket, rang while they were fuelling their car.

You should know that: Mobile Phones can ignite fuel or fumes

Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition

Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations, or when fuelling lawn mowers, boat, etc.

Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned off, around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust, (I.e., solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc...)

TO sum it up, here are the Four Rules for Safe Refuelling:


1) Turn off engine

2) Don't smoke

3) Don't use your cell phone - leave it inside the vehicle or turn it 0ff

4) Don't re-enter your vehicle during fuelling.

Bob Renkes of Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of 'static electricity' at gas pumps. His company has researched 150 cases of these fires.

His results were very surprising:

1) Out of 150 cases, almost all of them were women.

2) Almost all cases involved the person getting back in their vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping gas. When finished, they went back to pull the nozzle out and the fire started, as a result of static.

3) Most had on rubber-soled shoes.

4) Most men never get back in their vehicle until completely finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires.

5) Don't ever use cell phones when pumping gas

6) It is the vapours that come out of the gas that cause the fire, when connected with static charges.

7) There were 29 fires where the vehicle was re-entered and the nozzle was touched during refuelling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.

8) Seventeen fires occurred before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and before fuelling began..

Mr. Renkes stresses to NEVER get back into your vehicle while filling it with gas.

If you absolutely HAVE to get in your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure you get out, close the door TOUCHING THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be discharged before you ever remove the nozzle.

As I mentioned earlier, The Petroleum Equipment Institute, along with several other companies now, are really trying to make the public aware of this danger.

I ask you to please send this information to ALL your family and friends, especially those who have kids in the car with them while pumping gas. If this were to happen to them, they may not be able to get the children out in time. Thanks for passing this along.

Topamax class action lawsuit

What do we do when we fall sick? We go see a doctor and after a few days of the prescribed medicine, we are back to our old self. Most of us do not get a reaction from the medicine so all's good and well. However, some of us do suffer some form of discomfort, best case, and worst case, some irreversible damage, physical or otherwise.

There are medicines or prescription drugs to treat different illnesses and sometimes they come with side-effects. Topamax is an anti-convulsant used to treat epileptic seizures in children and adults, and is also prescribed to prevent migraine headaches. Studies conducted have shown that Topamax can result in cleft lip or cleft palate – birth defects that occur when the lip or palate fail to completely fuse together. The defect can result in a small, notched lip or in extreme cases, an open groove that extends from the roof of the mouth to the nose.

At O’Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath, their attorneys understand that your child’s injuries may not be your fault – instead, possibly a dangerous side effect of Topamax. Their expertise and experience, combined with their highly trained staff, make them uniquely well-equipped to handle any Topamax class action lawsuit and even the most complex products liability claims.

It is Hot in Kuala Lumpur - Haze may return to region soon

The heat is on, at least in Kuala Lumpur. It's a hot 96 deg F as we speak. Take a look at the reading below..

The Star reported that Satellite images recorded 136 hotspots in Sumatra yesterday, indicating a cloud of haze that may affect neighbouring countries soon.

Here's an image from the daily showing lower visibility as a thick haze blanketing Petaling Jaya’s skyline at noon yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Air Pollutant Index (API) retrieved from the Department of Environment's website showed that the air quality in various locations of the country remained excellent.

As of 11am yesterday, 61% of Malaysia enjoyed good air quality while the rest of the country had moderate air quality.

The lowest API was recorded in Miri, Sarawak (19) and the highest at Shah Alam, Selangor (60).

An area's air quality reaches an unhealthy level when its API hits 101, a very unhealthy level at 201 and hazardous when it exceeds 301.


Source: The Star

Let's watch some videos

Stumbled upon this hilarious video a while back. If you are still having the Monday blues, this video will certainly get you out of it in no time. Enjoy..



Gosh it's really hot today, isn't it? Some rain would be nice I thought. Somehow rain always reminds me of Jose Feliciano's Rain, one of my favorite evergreens. Haven't heard the song? Well, here it is. Give it a listen. Btw, Jose Feliciano is a Puerto Rican singer, virtuoso guitarist and composer, known for many international hits. He is blind because of congenital glaucoma.



Since we are at it, video-watching, here's another (must-watch) video. Check out the talent..



Have a wonderful week ahead, everyone!

McDonald's charcoal can glass for sale?

Everyone, here is a chance to make some money and help someone in need.

There is a buyer for the McD charcoal can glass if you have an extra one or would like to part with yours. (Check comments for query.)

Singapore polls: The People have spoken - Ruling PAP secures mandate to form government

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong waves to supporters after winning his constituency during a victory party.
The People's Action Party (PAP) of Singapore has been given the mandate to rule Singapore. The Workers' Party (WP) won big when it wrestled the hotly-contested Aljunied GRC from the PAP. It also retained the Hougang SMC. More news as follows..

From Channel New Asia

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says the voters have decided and he is "humbled" that they voted the PAP government back to power.

Speaking at a post-victory news conference after the General Election results were announced on Sunday, Mr Lee said voters had given the PAP a strong mandate but he is aware of the concerns and issues voters had put across.

"We hear all your voices," said Mr Lee.

The PAP government was returned to power with a majority of 81 seats including five uncontested seats. The strong showing is a relief for Mr Lee, who was seeking his second mandate as Prime Minister.

Although it was a sweeping win in terms of seats, the PAP's share of the popular vote slipped to 60.14 percent from 66.6 percent at the last election in 2006.

One of the most challenging contests in electoral history, the polls saw competition in 82 out of the 87 seats among seven political parties.

Sentiments were shifting towards the Workers' Party and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) in the last few days of campaigning, with talk that PAP could lose seven or eight seats especially hotbed Aljunied GRC and Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.

But the PAP ended with 81 out of 87 Parliament seats.

Mr Lee called this a watershed election - one that has taken place in a very different world and a very different Singapore from five years ago.

He said the election had heightened political consciousness and awareness among Singaporeans.

Mr Lee, who is also the Secretary General of the People's Action Party, said the election marks a distinct shift that all Singaporeans, not just the political parties, must adjust to.

The nine days of intense campaigning focused on major issues such as the cost of living and housing and healthcare, and Singapore's political system and values.

Mr Lee noted that people aired their frustrations and grievances -- and he said that the government has heard them.

"The PAP will analyse the results of the election, learn from what has emerged from this General Election, put right what is wrong, improve what can be made better, and also improve ourselves to serve Singaporeans better," he said.

Touching on the PAP's loss to the Workers' Party in Aljunied GRC, Mr Lee said Foreign Minister George Yeo and his team accepted and respected the voters' decision.

"It will be a heavy loss to my Cabinet and my team of MPs not to have George, Lim Hwee Hua, Zainul Abidin, Cynthia Phua and Ong Ye Kung. They are five good men and women. But we too accept and respect the voters' decision and we wish the new Workers' Party MPs well in serving the Aljunied residents," said Mr Lee.

Prime Minister Lee noted that there will be 81 PAP MPs and nine opposition MPs in the next Parliament -- six elected from the Workers' Party and three Non-Constituency MPs, if the opposition parties take up these seats.

He said the government looks forward to these opposition MPs offering alternative views and helping to improve debate in a constructive manner.

Summing up, Mr Lee said it is time to heal and move forward -- not just for the parties, but for all Singaporeans.

"The political contest goes on in every country in one form or another. But in Singapore, we must make sure it's harnessed for the good to make Singapore stronger and never to divide us. We are all fellow Singaporeans, so at the end of the General Election, let us close ranks to secure our future together," said Mr Lee.

- CNA/ir

Official results from The Star:

Bukit Panjang SMC (PAP: 20,349 votes, SDP: 10,362 votes).

Mountbatten SMC (PAP: 58.65% votes, NSP: 41.35% votes)

Radin Mas SMC (PAP: 18,591, NSP: 9,110)

Whampoa SMC (PAP: 13,015; NSP: 6,672)

Moulmein-Kallang GRC (PAP: 44,828; WP: 31,721)

Joo Chiat SMC (PAP: 9,630; WP: 9,248 votes)

Marine Parade GRC (PAP 78,182; NSP 59,833)

Hong Kah North SMC (PAP 18,149; SPP 7,553)

Hougang SMC (WP: 14,833; PAP: 8,053)

Pasir Ris-Ponggol GRC (PAP: 100,382; SDA: 54,546)

Tampines GRC (PAP: 72,664; NSP: 54,337)

West Coast GRC (PAP: 72,465; Reform Party: 36,395)

Sengkang West SMC (PAP: 14,667; WP: 10,585)

Ang Mo Kio GRC (PAP: 112,544; Reform Party: 49,779)


Related articles:
Singapore’s Lee Retains Power With Smallest Margin Since 1965
S’pore’s political awakening likely to impact Johor

Don't Waste Resources - A Meaningful Story

This is a wonderful reminder not to waste resources. The email says:

You see this sort of wasteful behaviour/conspicuous consumption to show off in almost any restaurant in China. This article is written by a fellow Malaysian.


MONEY IS YOURS BUT RESOURCES BELONG TO THE SOCIETY.

Germany is a highly industrialised country. It produces top brands like Benz, BMW, Simens etc. The nuclear reactor pump is made in a small town in this country. In such a country, many will think its people leads a luxurious life. At least that was my impression before my study trip.

When I arrived at Hamburg, my colleagues who work in Hamburg arranged a welcome party for me in a restaurant. As we walked into the restaurant, we noticed that a lot of tables were empty. There was a table where a young couple was having their meal. There were only two dishes and two cans of beer on the table. I wondered if such simple meal could be romantic, and whether the girl will leave this stingy guy.

There were a few old ladies on another table. When a dish is served, the waiter would distribute the food for them, and they would finish every bit of the food on their plates.

We did not pay much attention to them, as we were looking forward to the dishes we ordered. As we were hungry, our local colleague ordered more food for us.

As the restaurant was quiet, the food came quite fast. Since there were other activities arranged for us, we did not spend much time dining. When we left, there were still about one third of unconsumed food on the table.

When we were leaving the restaurant, we heard someone calling us. We noticed the old ladies in the restaurant were talking about us to the restaurant owner. When they spoke to us in English, we understood that they were unhappy about us wasting so much food. We immediately felt that they were really being too busybody.

"We paid for our food, it is none of your business how much food we left behind," my colleague Gui told the old ladies.

The old ladies were furious. One of them immediately took her handphone out and made a call to someone.

After a while, a man in uniform claimed to be an officer from the Social Security organisation arrived. Upon knowing what the dispute was, he issued us a 50 Mark fine.

We all kept quiet. The local colleague took out a 50 Mark note and repeatedly apologised to the officer.

The officer told us in a stern voice, "ORDER WHAT YOU CAN CONSUME, MONEY IS YOURS BUT RESOURCES BELONG TO THE SOCIETY. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS IN THE WORLD WHO ARE FACING SHORTAGE OF RESOURCES. YOU HAVE NO REASON TO WASTE RESOURCES."

Our face turned red. We all agreed with him in our hearts. The mindset of people of this rich country put all of us to shame. WE REALLY NEED TO REFLECT ON THIS. We are from country which is not very rich in resources.

To save face, we order large quantities and also waste food when we give others a treat. THIS LESSON TAUGHT US A LESSON TO THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT CHANGING OUR BAD HABITS.

My colleague photostated the fine ticket and gave a copy to each of us as a souvenir. All of us kept it and pasted on our wall to remind us that we shall never be wasteful.

Singapore goes to the polls

Singapore goes to the polls today for the 11th time since independence. Some 2.2 million eligible voters in all constituencies will cast their ballots in 732 polling stations.

The polling stations will open from 8am to 8pm. After the polls close, all ballot boxes will be sealed and taken to more than 150 counting centres. The first result is expected after 9pm.


Source: The Star