Whether you have a minor spill while pumping gas or whether your gas tank has sprung a leak, a fuel spill kit can help you clean up and practice damage control.

Unlike some of the other kits which are geared towards a more specialized, industrial-type audience, fuel spill kits belong in just about everyone's toolboxes, at least those of everyone who drives, which includes the large majority of people in this country.

And your decision as to which one of the many different types of kits to get will be easy. You'll need the oil absorbent one, since the "oil" in its name includes any petroleum based product -- and fuel is surely one of the primary petroleum-based products we all use on a day-to-day basis.

And once you've bought your oil-based fuel spill kit, what do you do with it? How do these things work? Well, it depends, of course, but basically they work by providing absorbents for the liquids involved in a spill. So basically, you sprinkle or pour some of the spill kit's contents onto the spill and mop it all up. Or you place a pad on the spill and let it absorb the spilled fuel.

Chances are that your spill is very minor. However, just in case, you'll be glad to know that there are spill kits available to match any possible size spill.

Just take a moment and assess how big a spill you're realistically trying to be prepared for. You can choose from bucket or bagged spill kits to manage small volume spills. If you need to be prepared for larger spills, you should choose either drum spill kits or, if you're driving a big truck, you might even get wheeled cart kits.

But the most important thing is to have a kit handy when a spill occurs, so you can use it immediately. And that's more likely to happen with a smaller kit. So make this your resolution for today: get a small spill kit and keep it in your car. And if you have a boat, keep one there too. And if there's a spill -- use it.