6 Items You Should Never Leave In Your Car!
Food & Drink
Cans of soda, for example, can cause all types of issues in either hot or cold cars. Don’t neglect items like candy bars or ice cream, which can quickly melt in the heat and make a mess. But it’s not just your car’s upholstery that’s at risk. According to the FDA, bacteria that can cause food-borne illnesses double every 20 minutes, even at room temperature. So don’t leave groceries or leftovers in a warm car for more than two hours, or only an hour when it’s over 80 degrees or higher.
Aerosol Cans
So have you ever looked and actually read the side of that can of hairspray, deodorant, spray paint? Well there’s a storage temperature recommendation. That’s because pressurized cans are particularly sensitive; outside of that temperature zone, the contents may expand, which could cause the can to crack or explode.
Lighters
Lighters may be tiny, but they can definitely pack a punch when they are overheated. The flammable fuel inside these little plastic tubes can expand and breach the lighter casing when exposed to high heat, creating a fire hazard.
Plastic Bottles
Interesting fact! A clear plastic bottle of water can magnify the sun’s rays and it will start to light a car seat on fire. But the greater risk may come from bisphenol A (BPA), a potentially harmful compound found in most clear plastics. The FDA maintains that BPA is safe at current levels of exposure in foods. However, studies have shown an increased release of BPA from plastics at higher temperature, so don’t take the chance of adding more of this chemical to your beverage. Also included in this is lotions, sun screens, and other chemical plastic bottles.
Batteries
All battery manufacturers recommend against leaving batteries in high temperatures, which can lead not only to a loss of capacity, but also to leakage or rupture as well. And that can be bad news for your health and your car’s interior, as battery acid is dangerous when inhaled and highly corrosive, eating away at everything in sight.
Electronics
Many phone, laptop and game system manufacturers list optimal temperatures. They also warn against leaving your device in your car, where it might shut down or start to suffer damage.