DRIVERS are being warned against leaving certain items in the car when the weather is hot, including a potentially dangerous kids gadget.
Motoring experts have outline seven of the common items lefts by Brits in cars that they say really shouldn’t in the heat.
This is especially when they are left on the dashboard[/caption]
The advice comes at a perfect time as warmer weather is forecast across the UK in coming weeks.
Drivers therefore should be careful about what they leave in the vehicles throughout the summer.
Dangers of hot cars
Leaving windows slightly open, while an easy option that can be more convenient, is not always enough.
On top of that, car experts suggest that car interiors can become dangerously hot within minutes.
And while “most drivers know not to leave pets or children in hot cars”, there are other items to consider in their potential to cause hazards.
John Wilmot, CEO of car leasing comparison site LeaseLoco, adds: “As temperatures rise, it’s important to think twice before leaving anything behind in your vehicle that could melt, warp, overheat or even pose a fire risk.”
This is especially when they are left on the dashboard or seats in direct sunlight.
Items not to be left in hot cars
1. Mobile Phones
Phones are highly sensitive to heat, and therefore can quickly over heat if left in the sun.
Car interiors can also reach over double the temperature outside when the weather is warm.
Exposure to heat, such as being left in a hot car, can cause quick degradation to a phone’s battery.
The device is then also likely to overheat, and may even trigger automatic shutdowns or permanent internal damage.
In extreme cases, overheated mobile phones can present a fire risk.
2. Medication
Many medical pills are high sensitive to temprature.
These include medications like insulin and certain antibiotics, which should be kept in the fridge, as well as common children’s medicine Calpol, which should be kept below 25 degrees Celsius.
The effectiveness of a drug can be reduced when exposed to high temperatures.
They may even become unsafe to use.
You should always make sure to read the packaging and follow the instructions of medication, especially during the summer.
3. Suncream
Suncream, while a necessity to have on hand for hot days, should not be left in cars.
Apart from potentially causing a mess and making it hot to apply, suncream’s prolonged heat exposure can also make it useless.
The active ingredient breaks down in hot temperatures, meaning it will no longer protect your skin properly from UVA or UVB rays.
As a result, you will have increased risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage by relying on this suncream.
4. Water Bottles
Plastic can leach harmful chemicals when heated up.
Harmful chemicals like BPA may permeate into water of plastic bottles, especially after long periods of heat exposure.
Even BPA-free plastic shouldn’t be left in extreme temperatures.
It is best to use reusable stainless steel or glass bottles, for safer hydration.
But these should also be taken with you when you leave the car.
Devices are highly sensitive to heat, which can cause them damage or even to pose a fire risk[/caption]
Plastic bottles are also dangerous to be left in hot cars as chemicals seep into the water[/caption]
5. Sunglasses
People regularly leave sunglasses on the dashboard when they leave the car, however this can ruin them.
Heat can cause the plastic frames of sunglasses to warp, and their lenses may become distorted or cracked.
Left unprotected, they are also more likely to get scratched or discoloured.
It is therefore advised to always keep sunglasses in a proper case and out of direct sunlight when not in use.
6. Aerosol Cans
Pressurised aerosol cans can pose an extreme risk when left in a hot car.
This includes deodorants, air fresheners, hairsprays or cleaning sprays.
Pressure inside aerosol cans increases with rising temperatures, which can cause them to rupture or explode.
This can be extremely dangerous and lead to a serious fire or injury.
Even if it does not explode, the heat can degrade the contents, reduce its performance or cause leaks.
7. Electronics and power banks
Devices like laptops, tablets, and portable chargers also present a risk when left in the heat.
As most electronics contain lithium-ion batteries, they are high sensitive to extreme temperatures, and may swell, leak or catch fire.
Exposure to warmth also can cause them to degrade much faster, and shorten their overall lifespan.
Internal components may also be damaged, like the screens or circuit boards of devices, such that they become unusable.
Why does heat damage batteries?
Here’s what you need to know…
- Hot temperatures can cause permanent damage to batteries
- That’s because batteries contain fluids, and work through chemical reactions
- When heat is applied to a battery, the fluid inside starts to evaporate
- This damages the internal structure of the battery
- Components like the voltage indicator can be affected by heat
- This can allow batteries to charge at too high a rate, which can lead to a loss of electrolytes
- This can reduce battery life over time
- As batteries heat up, chemical reactions inside will also occur faster
- Excessive chemical reactions can reduce long-term battery life
