WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Rep. Dave Joyce (OH-14) announced they have reintroduced the Portable Fuel Container Safety Act, a bill that directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to put forth a standard requiring Flame Mitigation Devices like flame arrestors to be used to prevent fire accidents.

“Far too many tragic and deadly fires and explosions happen because fuel containers are not safe enough for everyday use. When my constituent Margrett Lewis brought this problem to my attention and shared her family’s powerful story, I knew that Congress needed to take action,” said Thompson. “My bill will help prevent fires like the one injured Margrett and badly burned her daughter and keep other families safe from this kind of preventable fire. I will fight to pass this bill in our new majority and implement this commonsense safety measure.”

“I’m proud to join Rep. Mike Thompson in re-introducing this commonsense, public safety legislation,” said Joyce. “By ensuring portable fuel containers come equipped with basic safety measures, we can help prevent dangerous accidents that threaten the lives of thousands each year.”

Under current standards, flammable or combustible liquids can ignite within their containers causing more than 160,000 fires, injuring nearly 4,000 people, and killing 454 each year.

Flame arrestors can help prevent these types of accidents, but currently there is no requirement for them to be used for the consumer containers found in most homes and for everyday use.

The Portable Fuel Container Safety Act would establish safety standards to help prevent these tragic accidents.

The legislation is endorsed by the American Burn Association, the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Association of State Fire Marshalls and the National Fire Protection Association.

Thompson is proud to represent California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.