These items you should never leave in your vehicle
For some people, their car is not only used for transportation but also to store their personal belongings. While it’s perfectly fine to leave a few important items in your car, others should be kept at home.
Here are seven things you should never leave in your car:
Water bottles
Believe it or not, one of the potentially dangerous items you can leave in your car are plastic water bottles. If you leave a water bottle in your car for too long, there’s a chance that BPA can leak into the water – a chemical believed to cause cancer. Even if it’s not especially hot out, it’s best to avoid drinking from a water bottle that has been sitting in your car for a while.
Medication
As you’re probably already aware, many medications are meant to be stored at room temperature. Therefore, it’s not a great idea to leave it in a hot vehicle for an extended period of time. If the medication sits out for too long in hot temperatures, the potency of the drug can greatly decrease and negatively alter its effectiveness.
Sunscreen
Like medication, sunscreen can lose its effectiveness if it’s left out in the heat for too long. Hot temperatures could also cause the bottle to explode, creating a mess that no one wants to clean up.
Glasses
You could be in for quite the surprise if you leave your glasses in your car for too long – particularly if you leave them sitting on a hot dashboard. If they’re left in the sun for an extended period of time, the heat will likely make them too hot to wear. If you’re unfortunate enough, the sun’s rays could even warp the frames.
It should go without saying, but you should always leave your glasses on your head.
Personal Belongings
Always take any personal belongings with you when you leave your vehicle. This means taking your wallet, cell phone, keys, and passport when you exit your car. Even your belongings aren’t left out in the open, a potential thief likely won’t have a difficult time finding them. Simply put, you should either take your belongings with you or leave them at home.
Lighters
They may seem harmless given their small size, but lighters can present a significant fire hazard if left in your vehicle on a hot day. In general, it’s a good idea to keep flammable liquids away from your vehicle, especially during the summer.
Aerosol Cans
Cans of deodorant, hairspray, or spray paint can all expand in extreme temperatures, potentially creating a full-on explosion if they’re left in the hot or cold weather for too long.
If you want to be safe, leave the hygiene products in your bathroom.