The media has been warning about leaving pets and small children in hot cars after a string of tragedies have occurred; however, there are other things that should not be left in a car during scorching temperatures.
Of course, not leaving a living being inside a hot car should be common sense, but there are other everyday items that get accidentally left in cars and can lead to property damage or health issues.
Taking a big chug from a bottle of water left in a hot car is not only unsatisfying, it can also be dangerous.
According to Reader’s Digest, the plastic used in water containers contain the “forever chemicals” bisphenol A and phthalates, which are known to cause cancer and heart disease. Leaving the bottles in a hot car causes those chemicals to leach into the water. In fact, the reason water bottles have an expiration date is because, after a certain amount of time, the plastic bottles begin to break down and release those toxins.
A bottle that has been opened and drunk from may allow bacteria present to grow under the hot sun.
Also, a full and sealed bottle of water can act as a magnifying glass and in direct sunlight and cause a fire.
David Richardson, an administrative major for the Midwest City Fire Department, conducted several tests to determine if a water bottle can cause a fire and found conclusive proof that it will in just a short amount of time.
“So sure enough, a water bottle can start a fire,” Richardson said in a video posted to YouTube.
Sometimes people will leave aerosol can of citrus auto air freshener in the car or an emergency can of upholstery cleaner in the trunk. Experts say people should avoid this at all costs because soaring heat can cause the cans to explode.
Devices that contain lithium batteries, such as vape pens, smart phones, computers and tablets should never be left in a hot car. According to the Berkeley Lab, the sun’s heat can cause the high electric currents present to go into what is called “thermal runaway” – a chain reaction that can cause a battery to overheat, catch fire, and explode.
It is extremely hard to put out a lithium battery fire.
Medication, sunscreen and hand sanitizer should also not be stowed away in the console and left out in the heat. Such items are not fire hazards, the alcohol in hand sanitizer needs to reach 600 degrees to explode, but the heat can destroy the effectiveness of the products.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
