Ten Items You Should Never Leave In A Hot Car

The scorching hot weather in Malaysia, of course, brings with it a slew of hazards that could potentially ruin your car. So, we're here to talk about the everyday items you leave inside your car when it's parked in a hot parking lot.

You could endanger your belongings, your ride, or even a loved one depending on what you leave inside. With that in mind, never leave any of the following ten items in your car on a hot summer day:

1) Plastic bottles

Leaving plastic bottles in your car will not only cause them to warp or melt, but the heat may also release harmful chemicals into the liquid they contain. The US Food and Drug Administration even prohibited the use of Bisphenol A (BPA), a common chemical found in plastic water bottles, in baby bottles and sippy cups, though the agency has since amended its regulations to reflect the chemical's prohibition in such products.

2) Battery-powered electronics

On a hot day, do not leave power banks or other lithium ion-powered devices inside your vehicle. There's a reason these aren't permitted in check-in baggage on flights. High temperatures can permanently damage such electronics and, in some cases, cause them to combust.

3) Pets

You wouldn't want to be trapped inside a hot car, would you? That's right, neither would your dog, cat, gerbil, or any other pet. This could result in the death of your pet.

4) Your family

If you're not supposed to leave pets locked inside a hot car, don't leave your children either. Don't leave your grandparents or any other elderly people inside. Make use of your common sense.

5) Pressurized canisters

Never leave cans of spray deodorant, hairspray, cleaning products, or spray paint inside a hot car. If you look closely, you'll notice a warning about high temperatures on their backside.

6) Lotions and medication

On a hot day, avoid leaving your medications, lotions, and sunscreen in your car. High heat can shorten the shelf life of these products and even change their chemical composition.

7) Lighters

Okay, so the MythBusters actually tested whether a lighter can burst inside a hot car, and it turns out that it would require a ridiculously high cabin temperature for that to happen. Still, there have been several reports online of exploding lighters inside vehicles, so we believe it's better to be safe than sorry.

8) Chocolates and candy

The reason is simple: melted chocolates and candy will ruin the interior of your car. If they melt onto fabric, they can be a pain to clean. More importantly, they rarely taste the same after they've melted.

9) Sunglasses or shades

High temperatures inside a car's cabin can melt, warp, or ruin the paint or finish on your eyewear, depending on the material used. It is preferable to keep them on you rather than leaving them in your vehicle.

10) Food

Keep in mind that food spoils faster in warm environments. Not only that, but you'll have to deal with the horrible odour and potential mess that comes with leaving food in a hot car.

Credit to: TopGear Philippines