Urgent warning to UK drivers over everyday items that can kill in heatwave

Daily Mirror

3 days ago

Day-to-day items that might seem harmless on the surface could actually pose major health risks if you leave them in your vehicle which can, in a heatwave, reach high temperatures
Each and every day, after a long day at work, exhausted Brits park up their cars and turn off the engine - and unthinkingly leave many things scattered around their vehicle.
From plastic water bottles in the side pockets of the doors, to a deodorant can hastily chucked on the back seat, and all manner of items tucked out of sight in the glove compartment - quite a few of the day to day items we unquestioningly leave in our cars can have actually have some potentially dangerous consequences once the temperatures start to ramp up.
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For weeks, parts of the UK have seen seriously hot weather, with heat health alerts being repeatedly issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) during the heatwaves.
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Everyone knows the feeling of getting into your car on a hot day, only to find that inside the vehicle, it has become even more unbearably hot. Whilst most of us will flick on the air conditioning as quickly as possible, sweating and waiting for it to work its magic, daily items left inside the vehicle as temperatures rise so high - many people don't think about what the impact these increased temperatures could have on the things left inside their car.
Some of these common items can even, in some circumstances, become fatally dangerous, so it is crucial to be cautious about what you leave inside your car during a heatwave, and well worth taking the time to remove things and take them indoors with you - where hopefully things won't get quite as sweltering.
Aerosol cans, like those used for many deodorants - something many people are turning to more than often at the moment - and air fresheners, can explode in high temperatures. This is because of their pressurised mechanism, and if the internal pressure becomes too great due to the extreme heat inside your car, then even if it does not explode, you may find yourself dealing with a leak and the heat having degraded the contents.
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Vapes have also been known to explode in high temperatures, and have multiple components that can become degraded in hot weather, which can at best leave you with gross sticky mess of leaked vape juice to heat up, and at worst cause a car fire, which could be seriously dangerous, and likely wouldn't be covered by your insurance policy - meaning it would cost you thousands.
The risk simply isn't worth it, Markus Lindblad, Director from vape company Haypp explains to the Mirror.
"It's always best to take a vape out of the car. If this is not possible, then it's advised to either park in a shady spot, or place it in the glove box out of direct sunlight. Vapes should be kept at room temperature, so any fluctuations or sudden temperature changes can damage the battery, causing a fire hazard."
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The expert adds that if you do realise you have left your vape inside the car on a hot day, "If you leave your vape in a hot car for a long period of time, then it's important to cool the vape down safely by placing it in a cool dark place.
"Alternatively, wipe it down with a cold damp cloth and let it air dry. If your vape has overheated, do not, under any circumstances, place the vape in water to cool it down, as this could increase the risk of the battery exploding."
Other items containing batteries like power banks, laptops, and mobile phones, also shouldn't be left in the car.
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These electronic devices can become damaged in the heat, but also pose a fire risk, so make sure you have gathered up all your electronics before heading inside, and locking up your car behind you.
Medications should also never be left in a hot vehicle - most medicines need to be stored in a cool place, and the efficacy of the treatment could be impacted if they overheat, making it dangerous to take them.
Plastic bottles can also pose health risks in high temperatures. This is because they "can leach chemicals like BPA into the water when exposed to high temperatures. Even BPA-free plastics aren't ideal in extreme heat. Experts recommend using stainless steel or glass bottles and taking them with you when you leave the car."
Finally, never leave your suncream in the car during a heatwave. The active ingredients in the cream that protect you from harmful UV rays break down in extremely high temperatures, rendering it useless. The next time you slather it on, you might believe yourself to be safe from a nasty sunburn, but in fact you would be seriously vulnerable to damaging your skin.