The ubiquitous red sand buckets at Kenyan petrol stations are a critical, yet often overlooked, fire safety measure, serving as the first line of defense against small fires and fuel spills.

• These sand buckets primarily function through fire suppression by smothering flames, unlike water which spreads petrol fires.
• The sand also acts as an immediate spill-absorption tool for petrol and oil, preventing fire and explosion risks due to its electrically neutral properties.
• Mandated by regulations like the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 2007 and the Energy Act 2006, these buckets are compulsory for workplaces handling flammable materials.
• Despite Kenya's petroleum industry showing 98.76 per cent compliance with fuel quality standards, safety enforcement remains weak, with 87 per cent of transporters failing to meet requirements.
• Sand buckets are a low-technology, effective, and cost-efficient method for immediate response, complementing modern firefighting tools like foam and Carbon Dioxide extinguishers.