10 things you shouldn't keep in a hot car during a heat wave
States around the country are expected to once again see high temperatures this week.
As the numbers creep up, you may want to check what's in your car. Just like when it's freezing outside, there are certain things you shouldn't leave in the car during scorching temperatures.
Here's what to know:
Never leave your children or pets in your car unattended
It's never OK to leave a child or pet in a hot car. And cracking a window doesn't make a difference either, the American Veterinary Medical Association notes.
Temperatures in your vehicle can become dangerous very quickly. Last year, 39 children died in the U.S. from heatstroke in vehicles, up 35% from 2023, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
What else shouldn't I leave in the car when its hot out?
Aerosol cans
Extreme temperatures can cause aerosol cans to "become unstable" and potentially break or explode, according to Capital One Auto Navigator.
Batteries
Keeping batteries in hot weather or direct sunlight poses a fire risk, the U.S. Fire Administration says. Batteries that overheat can also leak or rupture.
You should always follow the manufacturer’s directions for batteries.
Electronics
Like with batteries, you should always follow the manufacturer’s directions when it comes to electronics. Most — like Apple and Samsung — recommend you don't expose products to extreme temperatures at all.
Food and beverages
You shouldn’t leave your groceries in a hot car for more than two hours, or one hour when it’s above 90 degrees, Geico recommends. Not only can some items, like canned beverages, make a mess in extreme temperatures, the FDA says food borne illness-causing bacteria doubles every 20 minutes.
Lighters
The flammable fuel inside of lighters could expand and breach its casing, posing a fire or explosion risk, according to Geico. The USB Lighter Company notes disposable or cheaper lighters are also more susceptible to extreme temperature effects than other kinds.
Medications
Extreme temperatures can cause medications to become less effective or cause unintended side effects, Baylor College of Medicine notes. You should not take medications if they have been exposed to heat and have changed color, texture or odor.
If you’re unsure whether a medication has gone bad, you should call a pharmacist or healthcare provider. Most medication bottles also have temperature and expiration dates, according to Baylor College of Medicine.
Plastic bottles
Plastic water bottles are known to “leach” chemicals into water, a process driven by heat, according to Paste BN. If you drink what's inside of a plastic bottle that’s been left in a hot car, you could be ingesting some harmful chemicals.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen that's exposed to high temperatures can shorten its shelf life, Geico said, citing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.