Drivers warned to take three items out of car TODAY – & expert reveals best spot to leave them if you can't

The Irish Sun

19 hours ago

DRIVERS need to be on red alert if they're leaving gadgets in their car today.
Fire safety experts have told The Sun that there are three items you must take out of your car as the UK basks in an ongoing
5
Leaving your phone in the car – and especially in direct sunlight – is a bad idea
Credit: Getty
5
Like phones, laptops also have lithium ion batteries inside
Credit: Getty
5
Heading down to the beach is great fun – but consider taking your gadgets with you and not leaving them in the car
Credit: Getty
Thousands of Brits flocked to beaches over the weekend, and Monday is set to be a scorcher – with temperatures rising as high as 34C or 35C in parts of Britain.
But as Brits park up to enjoy the sunny weather, it's important to remember not to leave gadgets in the car.
Fire experts named three gadgets in particular to be careful with.
"Most devices that we use every day, phones,
power
banks, laptops etc have batteries containing lithium-ion," a spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service told The Sun.
Read more on phones
"If exposed to high temperatures, they can go into thermal runaway, which is where they become volatile and can explode and start a fire.
"Although this usually happens if they are over-charged, being exposed to prolonged heat can also cause this."
HEAT HURT
It's not just a fire risk either: heat can damage your devices.
That includes permanently shorting the battery life of your smartphone.
Most read in Phones & Gadgets
If that happens, you'll have to charge your mobile more often – and there's no way to fix it other than by replacing the battery, or upgrading to a newer model.
'The interior of a car on a hot day is almost like a greenhouse, trapping heat and causing temperatures to climb high," the fire service told The Sun.
Apple interview with Greg Joz Joswiak on new artificial intelligence, screening, hold assist, carplay, liquid glass and ios updates
"Even if it doesn't lead to thermal runaway, prolonged heat exposure can also impact the performance of the battery and shorten its life."
CAR 'LAST RESORT'
The official advice is to take gadgets with you rather than leave them in a car.
But if you're pulling up at the beach and want to go for a dip, it can be difficult to avoid.
If there's no possible alternative, the fire service revealed one of the best places in your car to place a gadget as a last resort.
5
Placing gadgets under the seats is one of of avoiding letting them get too hot, experts say – but it's a last resort option and not as safe as bringing them with you
Credit: Getty
"We would always recommend taking any devices that you need with you and not leaving them in a vehicle," the fire service told us.
"If you do need to, think about where you park and try and find shaded areas.
"You can also think about where you leave the devices, for instance in the cooler parts of a car like under a seat."
But you're better off bringing your precious gadgets with you, if that's an option.
Why does heat damage batteries?
Here's what you need to know...
Hot temperatures can cause permanent damage to batteries
That's because batteries contain fluids, and work through chemical reactions
When heat is applied to a battery, the fluid inside starts to evaporate
This damages the internal structure of the battery
Components like the voltage indicator can be affected by heat
This can allow batteries to charge at too high a rate, which can lead to a loss of electrolytes
This can reduce battery life over time
As batteries heat up, chemical reactions inside will also occur faster
Excessive chemical reactions can reduce long-term battery life
Britain is tipped to be hotter than Ibiza today, a
"I
t is a hot picture as we move across
and
Wales
, particularly towards the southeast where temperatures could be around 34C or maybe even 35C
," said meterologist Greg Dewhurst.
He added: "The heat of the day could spark one or two heavy showers across eastern England as we move through the afternoon into the evening."
It means Wimbledon is set for its hottest
5
Alamy Live News. 3BN3TPN London, UK. 30 June 2025. Thousands of tennis fans queuing flocked to Wimbledon in the scorching weather on opening day
Credit: Alamy