After our homes or our offices, our cars may be the other place we spend most of our time in. That also means we carry a lot of stuff that we use on a daily basis inside our cars. Yes, your car can definitely store stuff and it is relatively safe since modern cars come with robust security systems that are hard to bypass without raising an alarm. But, that does not mean you should carry everything in your car. There are some items that you should never leave in your car and here are the most important ones:
1. Aerosol Cans/ Lighters
Aerosol cans such as deodorants or lighters are susceptible to high temperatures which may lead to an explosion. Thus, these items should not be stored inside a car where the temperature can rise especially when parked under the sun.
2. Electronics
Heat builds up inside a parked car and for the same reason, you shouldn’t store your favourite gadgets or any form of electronic devices inside a parked car, especially under the sun. High temperatures can damage the device and its batteries. Doing this can help avoid any break-in attempts as well.
3. Plastic Water Bottles
This might come as a surprise to some. Studies have shown that a plastic bottle exposed to high temperatures or the sun might lead to cancer or heart disease. Apparently, the extreme heat disintegrates the plastic which can seep into the drinking water. So, next time you park the car for long hours, make sure to dispose of the plastic and not to drink from the same.
4. Cash & Important Documents
Never leave cash and important documents inside your car. Theft of cash/ documents as well as of the whole car is a possible scenario. So always keep cash and documents in hand or store them somewhere safe
5. Young Children & Pets
Do not leave your kids inside a parked car even if you think it is for a short while as it can be hazardous. With global warming looming over us, heat strokes are back to being popular and the last thing you want is something happening to your loved ones. And no, cracking the window won’t help. The same applies to pets who are more sensitive to heat.
6. Food Waste & Litter
A strict no, especially if you don’t want your car to smell bad. Leaving food waste and litter is such a bad idea as it will be a breeding ground for microorganisms, letting out a foul smell. Once it’s too late, the cleaning part is also not a pleasant experience.
Image credit: Priscilla Du Preez
