Don’t leave these in your car!
Cars can reach dangerously high temperatures, especially in warmer months. This means certain items left inside can be damaged or pose safety risks. Here’s a list of items you should reconsider leaving in your vehicle.
Pets
Leaving pets in a parked car, even for a short time, is life-threatening. Temperatures skyrocket quickly, leading to heatstroke or worse for your furry friends.
Electronics
Heat can damage electronic devices like laptops, cameras, and smartphones. Additionally, visible gadgets can attract thieves, increasing the risk of break-ins.
Sunscreen
While sunscreen is essential, its effectiveness declines when exposed to high temperatures, making it less effective when you need it most.
Food and Groceries
Perishable items spoil rapidly, attracting pests and making for an unpleasant smell. This includes fruits, dairy, and even tinned food that might rupture under extreme heat.
Aerosol Cans
Cans of hairspray, deodorant, or spray paint explode in high temperatures, causing potential damage to your car and posing serious safety hazards.
Medications
Heat often alters the chemical composition of many medicines, making them ineffective or unsafe. Always keep them in a cool, dry place.
Important Documents
Valuable papers such as passports, birth certificates, and insurance documents can warp or become unreadable if exposed to high heat. Additionally, they are prime targets for theft.
Bottled Water
While often overlooked, a bottle of water left in a hot car can potentially release harmful chemicals from the plastic into the water.
Summary
Never Leave These Items in Your Car
- Pets: Risk of heatstroke.
- Electronics: Damage and theft vulnerabilities.
- Sunscreen: Reduced effectiveness.
- Food: Rapid spoilage and pest attraction.
- Aerosol Cans: Explosion risks.
- Medications: Potential chemical changes.
- Important Documents: Heat damage and theft risks.
- Bottled Water: Release of harmful chemicals.