Brits are being urged to check for six items commonly found in cars that could wind up putting you, your vehicle and other road users in danger if they’re not removed this weekend
Brits have just days to clear out half a dozen items from their car that could put themselves and others in danger.
Scorching summer temperatures are expected to swelter the nation this weekend, with temperatures exceeding 30°C in certain parts of the country. The Met office has warned: “Some places could reach heatwave criteria over the coming few days… If you do go out for exercise or into your garden, try to avoid the hottest part of the day [11am to 3pm] and seek shade where possible.”
On a day when the temperature outside is 30°C, within 30 minutes the interior of a vehicle can reach 50°C. This rapid rise in temperature is caused by the greenhouse effect — when sunlight passing through glass windows heats the interior surfaces, but the heat can’t escape easily, which causes the temperature inside to significantly exceed the temperature outside.
Extreme heat can cause everyday objects left inside a car to become dangerous — they can ignite, leak harmful substances and even explode. With this in mind, here are six everyday items that you should never leave inside your vehicle during a heatwave.
READ MORE: Met Office urges Brits to stay inside for 4 hours on Sunday with one exception
1. Medication
When stored above 25°C for long periods of time, some medications can actually lose their effectiveness. Others, including antibiotics and adrenaline shots (like EpiPens), can become completely ineffective or even dangerous if exposed to high temperatures. It is therefore imperative that you always check the storage instructions when you need to take your medication along for the ride with you.
2. Fizzy drinks
Cans and bottles of fizzy pop can explode inside hot cars, creating a sticky, messy situation that’s just as unpleasant as it sounds. Even juice cartons are prone to bursting when left in prolonged heat, potentially ruining your vehicle’s interior. To avoid these frustrating and messy incidents during a heatwave, it’s highly advisable to remove all sugary drinks from your car — it helps keep your vehicle clean and prevents any unexpected spills or damage caused by heat expansion.
3. Mobile phones
Smartphones are particularly sensitive to heat. Their batteries can degrade, the screens may warp, and in some cases, devices can even catch fire. Heat stress on your phone’s internals can lead to ‘malfunction’ and can shorten its overall lifespan, according to experts at Simply Mac. If you have ever seen a warning on your phone about overheating, you’ll know how quickly it can happen, so never leave them in your vehicle when the temperatures outside are soaring.
4. Sunglasses
Don’t ruin your favourite pair of designer sunglasses by leaving them on the dashboard of your motor during a heatwave. Sunglasses can warp or discolour if left in direct sunlight and the lenses can get distorted when exposed to extreme temperatures. To avoid this potentially pricey problem, make sure to keep them in a case in the glove box, or take them with you when you exit the vehicle.
5. Sunscreen
Although it may seem somewhat ironic, the very product designed to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays is known to become less effective when left to cook in a hot car. Strong heat has the capacity to break down active ingredients in sunscreen, making it practically useless, while the bottles can also burst, leaving a sticky residue and making a right mess, reports the Sunday Times. To keep your sunscreen from spoiling, keep it out of direct sunlight and never leave it in your vehicle when it is very hot outside.
6. Plastic water bottles
While it seems like a good idea to keep a bottle of water within reach, studies have shown plastic bottles left in hot cars can leach harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates into the water, especially during a heatwave. To protect your health, remove all plastic water bottles from your car when leaving it for long periods. Switching to a BPA-free, glass or metal bottle also resolves this problem.
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