You've probably heard it from your auntie's colleague's daughter's teacher's husband's pet dog's neighbour's friend's friend that you should never use a mobile phone at the petrol kiosk.

Doing so may result in a spark that could cause fires and explosions.

So, this photograph was uploaded on Facebook page All Singapore Stuff (we covered the guy's face and car plate, because science):

The caption shrilly claimed that the "NOOB" driver was risking everybody's lives by using his mobile phone and everyone will turn into Kentucky Fried Chicken.

That's impossible on two counts: 1) regular mobile phones generate microwaves that are too low-intensity to cause sparks 2) the petrol station lacks 11 original herbs and spices to make KFC.

However, that didn't stop the post from getting over 800 shares with people admonishing the driver for recklessly endangering lives.

Petrol kiosks with "No Mobile Phone" signs

Don't get us wrong, if the petrol kiosk puts up a sign that prohibits mobile phone usage, we should follow it, just like how such a sign would appear at a library. Talking on the phone while walking through the kiosk busy with cars could pose a hazard to yourself and others.

But the odds are very, very low.

Previously, The Straits Times published this comment by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) electrical engineering professor Dr Chandima Gomes: "Microwaves from a mobile phone are at a very low intensity, something like 2.45GHz. In order to create that kind of spark, you need a very high-powered microwave. There is no scientific evidence to say that mobile phone emission is enough to create a spark."

Therefore, what is problematic is the reasoning used by the person who uploaded the photograph and subsequent comments by netizens -- that mobile phone usage causes explosions at petrol kiosks. Such ignorance should not be spread.

So what causes fires at petrol kiosks? Apparently, it is usually static electricity. This video explains it quite well:

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Faulty batteries can also cause fires -- like those in a Samsung Note 7. In that case, it is equally dangerous to have your mobile phone switched on at the petrol kiosk. But guess no one cares enough to switch their mobile phones off when refueling.

If you're really, really afraid of causing fires at petrol kiosks, the Petroleum Equipment Institute in the United States recommends these rules to follow while refueling:

Turn off engine.

Don't smoke.

Never re-enter your vehicle while refueling. (To prevent static build-up)

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