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- These common items could pose a danger when left in hot cars (newsbreak.com)
The inside of a vehicle can become dangerously hot, posing risks not only to children and pets but also to common items such as water bottles. Experts warn that water bottles, particularly clear ones filled with clear liquid, can act like a magnifying glass under the right conditions and potentially start a fire. David Richardson of the Midwest City Fire Department in Oklahoma, reported to ABC News about the unusual hazard after conducting an experiment where a water bottle focused sunlight to burn through paper.
The circumstances for such a fire to start need to be precise. The water bottle and the liquid must be clear, and the sunlight has to hit them just right. Additionally, cars with tinted windows are less likely to experience this issue due to reduced sunlight penetration.
Richardson underscored that though it’s a rare event, it is indeed possible. Another hazard associated with heated water bottles in cars is the potential for the liquid inside to become contaminated with toxins.
Dr. Stephanie Widmer, a toxicologist and emergency medicine physician, told ABC News that the combination of the bottle’s chemicals, the external heat, and duration of exposure could lead to chemical leaching into the liquid, which could be harmful if ingested.
Besides water bottles, other items that pose risks in hot cars include electronics containing lithium batteries, like vapes or electric scooters, which could explode if the plastic casing melts and exposes the batteries to direct heat and sunlight. Additionally, items like aerosol cans, sodas in cans or bottles, and lighters could explode under high temperatures. Other everyday products such as sunscreen, medicine, alcohol, and eyewear could spoil or be damaged in extreme heat.
Above all, the most significant danger in hot cars remains leaving children or pets inside them, even for short periods. This has led to tragic fatalities, with over a dozen child deaths this year already linked to hot cars and nearly 1,100 since 1990. With continued high temperatures expected across much of the U.S., it’s critical to remain vigilant about the severe risks posed by hot vehicles.
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- These common items could pose a danger when left in hot cars (newsbreak.com)