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The Risk Is Small, But Warnings About Cell Phones At Gas Pumps Persist

Gas pumps often warn against using cell phones, but there have been no credible cases of fires caused by cell phones. (Richard Masoner/Flickr)
Gas pumps often warn against using cell phones, but there have been no credible cases of fires caused by cell phones. (Richard Masoner/Flickr)

Fifteen years ago this month, Here & Now co-host Jeremy Hobson aired his first NPR story on All Things Considered. He was an intern chasing a story about new signs cropping up at gas stations banning cell phones.

At the time, people were worried the phones would spark fires at the pump, but no credible case of that ever happening could be found.

In 2014, with billions of cell phones around the globe, we revisit that story from Jeremy’s early reporting days and try to figure out why those signs still hang at gas stations around the country.

Guest

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