Cars left under the sun can turn into ovens. With the windows closed, sunlight enters through the glass, and that heat has nowhere to go.
The heat gets trapped inside, much like a greenhouse effect, where sunlight passes through easily but cannot escape.
Did you know: In as little as five minutes under an ambient temperature of 30 °C, the temperature of the car’s interior can rise to 57–68 °C.
Most of our everyday consumer goods aren’t designed to withstand that much heat, and some of them can even catch fire or explode if exposed to such high temperatures. That’s why, for your safety, below are everyday items you should never leave behind in a vehicle during hot weather:
Battery-Powered Electronics
Phones, tablets, power banks, and earbuds all use lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are designed to operate optimally at temperatures below 60°C, and temperatures above this threshold begin to stress them.
Inside a car, where the cabin can reach 68°C, batteries may swell, leak, or catch fire. Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries can burn at 700–1000°C — hot enough to melt most of your car’s interior
Takeaway: Always carry your gadgets with you. Leaving them behind is a fire risk, and even if they don’t burn, the heat can permanently damage the battery.
2. Plastic Water Bottles
That half-finished water bottle on your dashboard isn’t as harmless as it looks. In direct sunlight, the curved plastic can act like a magnifying glass, focusing light onto your seats or console. In rare cases, this has even caused fabric to smolder.
At around 60°C, chemicals from the plastic (like BPA) can also leach into the water, making it unsafe to drink.
Takeaway: Keep bottles in the glove box, under a seat, or simply carry them with you.
3. Eyeglasses
Curved lenses can concentrate sunlight like a magnifying glass. If they’re left on the dashboard, they can scorch upholstery or, in extreme cases, even start a fire.
Takeaway: Always keep glasses in a case or in the glove compartment.
4. Cigarette Lighters and Aerosol Sprays
Lighters, deodorants, perfumes, insect sprays, and cleaning products are pressurized containers. When exposed to extreme heat, the liquid inside turns into vapor, causing pressure to build. This can lead to explosions that shatter glass, melt plastics, or even ignite fires.
Takeaway: Never leave lighters or sprays in a car parked under the sun.
5. Medicines and Cosmetics
Heat can quickly reduce the effectiveness of medicines like insulin, antibiotics, or painkillers. Cosmetics — lipsticks, creams, perfumes — can melt or degrade, sometimes releasing harmful fumes.
Takeaway: Always keep medicines and cosmetics with you in a handbag or backpack.
6. Food and Drinks
Snacks, chocolates, or milk cartons spoil rapidly in high heat. Fizzy drink cans may even explode when pressure builds inside. Apart from the mess, spoiled food also creates odors and can attract insects.
Takeaway: Take all food items out of the car, especially in the summer.
7. Cleaning Sprays and Sanitizers
Even hand sanitizers and car cleaning sprays can be risky. Many contain alcohol or chemicals that evaporate quickly in heat, creating pressure inside the container. This can cause bottles to leak or burst.
Takeaway: Keep sanitizers and sprays in your bag, not in your car.
Why It Matters in Pakistan
- In cities like Lahore and Multan, cabin temperatures can hit 70°C within 20 minutes in peak summer.
- Karachi’s humidity makes it feel even hotter inside cars, increasing risks.
- There have already been multiple cases of power banks and sprays exploding in parked vehicles reported on car forums and social media.
Final Word
The next time you step out of your car, don’t just grab your wallet and keys. Take your phone, sprays, water bottle, and medicines too. It only takes a few minutes of parked heat for these everyday items to turn into hazards.
A small precaution can save you from fire damage, spoiled items, or even a serious accident.
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