It is a common practice to store items of daily use in your car for convenience. Sometimes we leave things in the dashboard compartment and sometimes on the dashboard or even on the seat. However, the heat in the UAE can turn leaving some items in the car into a major hazard. Considering that risk, the Abu Dhabi police had highlighted what not to leave in a hot car and it is equally applicable in other emirates.
Today, we will take a look at items that aren’t safe to leave behind in the car for too long, especially on a hot day.
7 Things to never leave in a hot car
Here are the top things which are dangerous to be left in a car:
1. Perfume Bottles
Most perfumes contain sufficient amounts of alcohol, which is highly volatile and flammable. When perfume bottles are left in a hot car or exposed directly to the sun in the vehicle for a long time, the alcohol component is likely to evaporate. This not only destroys the perfume but also expands the gas inside the bottle, which can lead to an explosion of the bottle.
Not to mention, the gas is highly flammable and can cause a fire at the slightest spark. This holds true for most of the aerosol products as well.
2. Sunblock
Another item you should not leave in a hot car is your sunblock. It is important to use sunscreen to protect your skin from the harsh beams of the sun especially during summers in the UAE. It makes sense to keep a bottle or tube on you during travelling. However, you must not leave the sunblock directly under the sun in a hot car.
While it is not an explosive risk, it is likely to reduce the potency of the product. It is one of the items that go bad if left in a car for long. As a sunblock plays a key role in preventing UV ray related skin issues, leaving them exposed in the heat is not a healthy habit.
3. Hand Sanitisers
Hand sanitiser is another product that is used quite frequently and carried along when on the go. However, leaving a hand sanitiser in a car in hot weather may ignite fire. On one hand, the alcohol will evaporate. Given it is the component responsible for effectively killing the germs, the product becomes useless without it. Secondly, in the extreme temperatures of the UAE, these flammable products can lead to an explosion.
4. Batteries
It is never a good idea to subject batteries and electronics to high temperatures. These items come with a warning to keep them in cool conditions. When left in a hot car, a phone battery may experience an internal short circuit due to damage to the internal cell. This can lead to sparking and fires.
Also, the product performance will also be affected negatively if the batteries are exposed to excessive heat.
5. Gas Canister
Leaving even a small gas canister in the car can be extremely dangerous. Even when the car is moving during high temperatures, the friction can cause the gas canister to explode. On the other hand, gas leakage from the canister in any closed space such as a car cabin will turn it into a bomb ready to explode any time.
6. Cigarette Lighter
Cigarette lighters have iron components inside them. When left in the car and under friction, they can cause a fire. Also, these lighters are susceptible to bursting under high temperatures. This is likely to damage your car windows and leave burn marks on the car seats.
7. Water Bottles
Water bottles, especially plastic ones are the last item you would want to leave in a hot car. While on one hand, you risk the water going warm and undrinkable, you are also running a higher risk in case of plastic bottles.
Various studies have confirmed that plastic releases BPA and phthalates, compounds that are carcinogenic. The release from plastic bottles is likely to increase at higher temperatures. Therefore, it is not a good idea to leave water bottles in a car under high temperatures.
Similarly, all products made of rubber and plastic if left for long periods under direct sunlight can melt and in case of plastic, release the harmful phthalates. Also, in addition to water bottles in general, other cans such as soda bottles are likely to explode as a result of pressure buildup inside the containers due to heat. Therefore, always keep your car clean and organised from any mishap.
It is against the law to leave kids and pets in a car in the UAE
As per the UAE Law, you are not allowed to leave a child unattended in a parked car. According to the Abu Dhabi Police, leaving a child in a car either while shopping or for any other reason without any company is punishable by the law.
This is especially crucial in the summers when the hot temperature can cause heat stroke and suffocate the children left unattended inside a hot car. Another risk is that the kids might start playing with the car controls when left unattended. Such cases have resulted in fatalities and tragedies in the past.
Legal action is taken against the parents displaying such negligence.
The same applies to leaving pets in a car. According to the UAE law, it is not allowed and will result in legal repercussions to leave pets unattended in the car. The act comes under animal abuse and cruelty. The UAE law is likely to charge the pet owner a fine of at least AED 200,000 or 1 year in prison in case of such negligence.
Other things to not leave in a car
While some items become an explosion hazard when left in the heat, some things can cause an indirect harm or loss. You should also avoid leaving such things in your vehicle:
- Medications as they can degrade under high degrees
- Handbags, wallets, cellphones, important documents as they are prone to theft
- Lipsticks and other such products can melt under the hot sun
- Groceries and other perishable food spoil in heat
This is a complete list of what not to leave in a hot car. If any part of your car is damaged because of items exploding or melting in it, you can buy car parts and accessories to redeem that. If your car is in need of too much repairing, you can always check these affordable used cars as an option.
- Buy used cars from Dubai
- Second hand cars for sale in Abu Dhabi
- Used cars for sale in Sharjah
- Buy second hand cars in Fujairah
Stay cautious and avoid leaving things in a car that you will regret later.
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