MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Summer heat across Alabama can turn a parked car into a hazard zone quickly — damaging everyday items and in some cases, creating real safety risks.
With the normal high in the Montgomery area around 91 degrees this time of year, safety experts warn that even a short stop can leave items “baking” inside a vehicle. Research from Arizona State University’s heat health team found a car parked in direct sunlight on an 80-degree day can reach about 120 degrees inside within an hour. In hotter conditions, dashboard temperatures can climb even higher — past 165 degrees on a 95-degree afternoon.
High heat can break down medications, spoil food, damage plastics and electronics, and raise fire concerns, especially with pressurized containers and battery-powered devices…