Posted on July 12, 2024
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Saturday, July 20, 2024
9-11 AM
Police and Fire Station Parking Lot
908 Willis Avenue, Perry, IA
Exchange your old gas can for a new, metal safety can on Saturday, July 20 during an event honoring a Winterset boy who died in a gas container explosion.
From 9-11 AM, residents can learn about safe gasoline storage and disposal while trading in their unsafe gas container during The Legacy of Christopher Allsup Gas Can Exchange at the Police and Fire Station Parking Lot in Perry.
The tenth annual event is in honor of Christopher Allsup, 10, who was fatally burned in 2013 after an outdated plastic gas container exploded.
In his memory, his family formed The Legacy of Christopher Allsup Foundation to educate about the dangers of outdated portable gas containers. Since 2014, the foundation has partnered with Safe Kids Greater Des Moines, Blank Children’s Hospital, and Metro Waste Authority to host the annual gas can exchange for metro residents.
During the event, each vehicle can exchange one gas container for a new, metal safety can with a flame arrestor. A flame arrestor is a small screen that is designed to prevent sparks from entering the gas container and igniting the fuel. Gas cans without a flame arrestor could put residents at risk of a fire or explosion.
Gas containers brought for exchange must be surrendered for a new safety can. Containers will be accepted empty. Exchanges will be made on a first-come, first-served basis and participants will be required to sign a liability waiver.