Drivers are being warned not to leave nine common items in their cars during the hot weather this week. Yet another heatwave is expected to hit the UK this week as the Met Office expects highs of 36C in parts of the UK.
As temperatures rise, many people think about ways to keep themselves cool behind the wheel, such as turning their air con on or opening windows. But during warm weather, parked cars can get much hotter than the outside air temperature, with spaces such as the boot becoming extremely hot after sitting in direct sunlight.
In this environment, items such as pressured containers, certain chemicals and everyday food items should not be left inside cars.
Nine items to remove from your car
Motoring experts at Vavoom Vehicle Management have now revealed the common items that drivers should remove from their cars during extreme heat.
Power banks and portable chargers
"Power banks have become one of the most common items left in cars because they’re useful for emergencies, holidays, festivals and longer journeys. The problem is that almost all of them rely on lithium-ion batteries, which are sensitive to prolonged periods of extreme heat," the experts say.
"High temperatures can slowly damage the battery’s internal components, lowering performance and shortening its lifespan. In rare cases, severely damaged or overheated lithium batteries can enter what’s known as thermal runaway, where the battery rapidly overheats and may catch fire."
"If you’re only carrying a power bank as an emergency backup, it’s worth storing it indoors and taking it with you only when you actually need it."
Portable jump starters
"Modern jump starters are brilliant to have if your battery goes flat, especially during road trips, but many drivers leave them in the boot all year round," say the motoring experts.
"Like power banks, they contain high-capacity lithium batteries that don’t respond well to repeated exposure to excessive temperatures. Although they’re designed for vehicle use, they’re not designed to spend weeks baking inside a parked car during a heatwave."
"Keeping them indoors between journeys can help preserve both performance and battery life or you can also keep them covered to avoid direct heat exposure."
Aerosols, lighters, and vapes
Aerosol sprays
"Deodorant, tyre repair foam, spray paint, insect repellent and cleaning products all use pressurised containers," they say.
"As temperatures increase, so does the pressure inside the can. Manufactures build in safety margins, but leaving aerosols inside an extremely hot vehicle for prolonged periods can increase the risk of leaking or, in some extreme circumstances, the container rupturing."
"If you only carry these products occasionally, it’s better not to leave them in the car longer than needed."
Disposable lighters
"A lighter tucked away in the corner of the boot might seem harmless, but they’re another item that doesn’t cope well with extreme heat," the experts say.
"The fuel inside expands as temperatures rise, increasing pressure within the lighter. While failures are uncommon, leaking fuel or damaged lighters become a greater possibility during prolonged hot weather, especially if they’re exposed day after day."
Vapes and e-cigarettes
"Many drivers leave spare vape devices in their car without giving them a second thought. Like smartphones, they contain lithium-ion batteries that are made to work within a safe temperature range," say the experts.
"Excessive heat can permanently reduce battery capacity, damage internal components and, in rare cases, increase safety risks if the battery has already been compromised."
"Even if no safety issue occurs, your vape may simply stop working as well as it did."
Food, drink, and medicine
Fizzy drinks
"It isn’t just electronics that dislike heat. As carbonated drinks warm up, pressure builds inside the bottle or can," the motoring experts say.
"That can eventually cause leaks or even bursts, leaving sticky liquid throughout the boot and potentially damaging luggage, electrical items and fabrics nearby. It’s an annoying clean-up that can easily be avoided."
Medicines
"Many medications are meant to be stored below certain temperatures, and prolonged exposure to heat can affect how well they work," they say.
"Painkillers, allergy tablets and prescription medicines such as Insulin and Asthma inhalers may all have different storage recommendations, so it’s worth checking the packaging before leaving them inside a parked car all day."
"An insulated bag is usually a much safer option if medication needs to travel with you."
Food shopping
"After a supermarket trip, it’s easy to pop somewhere else before heading home. Unfortunately, chilled food sitting in a hot boot warms up much faster than many people realise," the experts say.
"Once refrigerated foods begin spending too long in warmer temperatures, bacteria can multiply much more quickly, increasing the risk of food spoilage."
"Also, insulated shopping bags help, but they’re not designed to keep food cool indefinitely."
Forgotten electronics
"Old mobile phones, wireless headphones, Bluetooth speakers, camera batteries and cordless tool batteries. Many boots gradually become storage spaces for electronics we forget are even there," say the experts.
"Almost all rechargeable gadgets rely on lithium batteries, meaning repeated exposure to high temperatures can shorten battery life, reduce performance and potentially damage the cells over time."
