As the temperature increases in summers in many places in India, people have been advised about household things which may become hazardous when left in closed parked cars. People do not realize how quickly temperatures can go up in a car left closed. While the outside temperature is about 35° centigrade, it may even exceed 55° centigrade in just minutes in a parked car.

High temperatures inside a parked car may lead to the damaging of electronics as well as personal belongings kept in such cars. In addition, overheating might result in leaking batteries, fumes, explosions, and car fires as well. The specialists in the area claim that a lot of cases of car fires during summer happen due to overheating of things inside.

1. Lighters and Gas-Based Items

Lighters that are disposable are made up of flammable gas stored under high pressure, which expands very fast once exposed to intense heat. If these lighters are kept within a car, the pressure might build up and lead to an explosion.

2. Power Banks and Mobile Phones

Phone, tablet, smartwatch, and power bank lithium-ion batteries are very temperature-sensitive. They could get damaged due to high temperatures, thereby lowering their performance or even leading to thermal runaway, which is a hazardous reaction that leads to smokes, fires, or even explosions.

According to experts, people inadvertently charge power banks inside their cars.

3. Aerosol Cans and Perfume Sprays

Deodorants, body mists, paints and varnishes, sanitizer sprays, and other aerosol containers keep their contents under pressure. Under heated circumstances, these aerosols may swell to bursting point. Besides being a fire hazard, chemicals that leak from these products can cause respiratory problems and harm the insides of the vehicle.

4. Plastic Water Bottles

Although plastic bottles may appear innocuous at first sight, excessive heating will result in an increased release of microplastics and dangerous compounds into the water. On some occasions, clear water bottles can be used to concentrate sun rays onto the material of the seat cover. It is important that people avoid consumption of water kept in heated plastic bottles for many hours.

5. Electronic Accessories and Faulty Wiring

Charging wires left loose, poor quality chargers, malfunctioning dash cameras, or other defective electronic devices are prone to overheating fast during extreme heat. Wires that are not well insulated or poorly designed batteries may also cause sparks and could start a fire in the car.

According to mechanics, electrical work done by an amateur is a major cause of summer vehicle fires.

Risks Most People Ignore

Medicines Can Become Unsafe

Many medicines, including insulin, inhalers, eye drops, and antibiotics, lose effectiveness when exposed to high temperatures. Some medicines can even become chemically unstable and unsafe to use after overheating.

Sunglasses and Plastic Interiors May Warp

Low-cost sunglasses, gadgets placed on the dashboard, glue-on mountings, and plastic ornaments may soften and melt in hot cars, giving off foul-smelling fumes and poisonous gases.

Heat Makes Car Batteries Fail Quicker

Heat increases the rate of evaporation of fluids from car batteries and causes poor battery function, making them susceptible to failure. In many areas, heat is capable of damaging car batteries quicker than cold.

Air Inside Parked Cars Can Become Toxic

Studies have revealed that components found inside the vehicle such as the dashboard, seat foam, and plastics give off VOCs when exposed to heat. In a tightly closed car, these chemicals may accumulate and trigger headaches and dizziness.

How to Reduce Heat Damage in Cars

As far as summer heat is concerned, it is advised that the car should be parked in shade and the windshield sunshade should be placed so that heat does not accumulate in the interior of the car. Charging electrical devices must never be kept in parked cars because hot batteries may lead to an outbreak of fire in the car. Leaving windows slightly open can help prevent excessive accumulation of heat. Medicine bottles, batteries, sprays, and any other heat sensitive items must be taken out of the car before leaving it unattended.

Due to frequent heat waves nowadays, keeping cars safe from any kind of accidents during summer heat is not only about caring for the engine; even everyday household items in the car can pose great risks.