This is exactly the reason why the only legal gasoline container in NZ is metal. Plastic and glass containers were outlawed several (20+) years back. The main cause for the ban of plastic containers here was the fact that over time the plastic hardens and cracks. (We get too much rain here for static to be a problem )

While you are speaking of the dangers of filling gasoline containers, the signs in gas stations here have a recent addition.

"No Smoking
"Turn off your engine
"Turn off your cellphone