Why turn off phone at gas station, not use cell phone
At gas stations you will find the signs “Turn off your phone!” But do you really have to turn off your phone? The answer and all the backgrounds we have summarized here.
Turn off your smartphone at the gas station – what’s behind it?
Gas station: cell phone ban
First off: The prohibition sign at petrol stations with the crossed out phone does not automatically mean that you should turn off your phone. Only telephone or general use are meant. But why is a cell phone or smartphone a security risk?
- Radiation: Mobile phones emit radiation that can disrupt sensitive equipment, such as in an airplane or hospital. The radiation can not be dangerous at a gas station.
- The danger instead comes from the battery of the mobile device: If your phone falls to the ground, the battery can form sparks that can lead to an explosion in connection with the petrol fumes.
- However, this is unlikely: Most (newer) cell phones have very low voltage and the risk of short-circuiting and sparking is extremely low. With built-in batteries, the battery can not even fall out.
- Leave your cell phone at the gas station but still in the bag, then nothing can happen and you save discussions with the gas station staff. However, you do not have to turn off your smartphone.
However, in facilities with sensitive electronics, such as hospitals, you should turn off your smartphone or turn on flight mode.
