Drivers have been warned to remove four common items from their cars this week or risk serious damage, as parts of the UK are set to see very hot weather with temperatures up to 39C on Thursday (August 13).
Bottled water
While it is important to stay hydrated on long road trips, drivers should take care with where they put bottles of water and avoid leaving them in their car when unattended. The hot temperatures typically experienced inside cars parked in direct sunlight can cause chemicals to escape from the plastic bottle and into the water, making it dangerous to drink.
In more extreme heat, bottles of water visible from the window could magnify sunlight onto interior components such as the carpet or seats, creating the risk of a fire.
Sun cream
Sun cream may stop drivers from burning in the heat, but can ruin a vehicle interior if left in plain sight. Much like water, plastic bottles containing sun cream can become brittle and cause a buildup of pressure, which can ultimately lead to the sun cream exploding onto the interior. Exposure to high temperatures can also make the sun cream much less effective, meaning it will not protect users from the sun.
Medicine
A wide range of popular medicines, including paracetamol and other painkillers, can become less effective after being left inside a hot car. While the tablets may still look normal, exposure to a hot climate can cause ingredients to act differently. Many medical experts suggest drivers should act on the side of caution and avoid taking medicines that have been left inside their car. To find out if a driver is able to leave a type of medication inside their car, they should read the instructions inside the packet, which often state the maximum temperature at which they can be stored.
Battery-powered electrical devices
Items that use a battery can also cause damage to the interior in sunny weather. Smartphones, MP3 players, cameras and laptops all feature incredibly dense battery packs that, in most cases, should not be left in temperatures above 40 degrees. Exposure to these temperatures can make devices less effective, losing charge at a much faster rate, and they may catch fire in particularly hot weather.
