Warning! Don't leave these 5 items in a hot car

With the summer holidays drawing near, many brits will be setting off on all kinds of sunny adventures around the UK and abroad, which means cars will be packed full of supplies.

But not many people thinking about clearing out their car before they start loading it up, and these unsuspecting items that can be easily missed could pose a serious risk if left in a hot car.

Mirrors and reflective items

Items with reflective surfaces or magnifying effects can easily start a fire if they’re left in direct sunlight.

Mirrors, reflective sunglasses, and even clear water bottles all refract sunlight and can cause a fire inside a vehicle or, at the very least, leave scorch marks.

If possible, it’s best to park your vehicle in a place of shade, but if that isn’t an option then you should make sure all of these reflective items are either removed or covered and kept away from direct sunlight.

This can include overhead mirrors that have been left open, so keep them covered or directed away from inside the vehicle.

Food and drink

There are plenty of reasons to not leave old food and drink in your car on a hot day. Not only can they become mouldy and smelly, but fizzy drinks can explode in high heat and if your car is parked for an extended time - like in an airport carpark - pests can become a problem.

Pests like rats and foxes also tend to be more active during the summer months, and while they’re not as likely to nest in an empty vehicle, they can cause considerable damage if they detect food inside. Rats have been known to gnaw their way into cars and there have been cases of foxes chewing through cables and components underneath.

Avoid parking your vehicle near areas that might be attractive to animals – like overflowing bins – and clear out all food and drink.

Electronics and rechargeable gadgets

In recent years battery fires have become a serious cause for concern, with UK fire brigades tackling three lithium-ion battery related fires every day. These kinds of fires are especially dangerous; they spread quickly, are difficult to put out, and can even reignite after being extinguished.

In worst cases, heat can cause lithium ion batteries to swell and even catch fire, but high temperatures can also damage other electronic components that can reduce performance or cause gadgets to stop working altogether.

It's generally advised that you don’t leave electronics like, laptops, vapes, and other gadgets in your car because they might be a temptation for thieves, but because of the added fire risk it's especially important that you take them out on hot days.

If you do accidentally leave electronics in a hot car, place them somewhere dry and cool and wait until they are cool to the touch to use them again.

Kara Gammell
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert

Vape batteries are becoming a problem

As vapes have risen in popularity, fires caused by vapes are becoming more common. As a result, there is a risk that car insurance may not cover you if an improperly stored vape causes your vehicle to catch fire.

This is because car insurance policies have a duty of car clause, requiring vehicle owners to take reasonable steps to protect their vehicle, and some policies explicitly exclude cover for fires as a result of negligence or misuse of electronics.

So, make sure you store any vape or e-cigarette devices in a cool, dry place, away from flammables, and don't leave it plugged in to charge.

EpiPens, inhalers, and other medications

While you think it might be savvy to store EpiPens and other medications in the car for emergencies, in a hot car the heat can warp plastic and reduce effectiveness, making them unfit to use.

Medications should be stored in a dark, cool place, so don’t leave them in your car in hot weather, and consider investing in an insulated case to keep them from getting too hot if you are having to carry them around. If you keep a first aid kit in your vehicle, keep it out of direct sunlight by storing it in the glove box or boot.

Sprays and aerosols

In high temperatures, the pressurised contents of aerosol containers can expand and cause them to burst or even explode. This can happen to body sprays, deodorants, hairsprays, air fresheners, and gas dusters.

Many of these items also tend to be flammable, so there is an added fire risk if they do rupture.

Kara Gammell
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert

Keep your car cool

High temperatures can do all kinds of damage to a vehicle, so it's worthwhile to avoid the risk if possible. Park your car in a garage, covered car park, or shaded area if you can and use a windshield sunshade to block out most of the sunlight to protect the interior.

To cool down a car interior, try opening both windows on one side of the car and 'fanning' it by opening and closing the opposite door. This should force hot air out of the car, cooling it down faster.