Amid the recent spike in temperatures this week, motorists have been warned to remove four items from their cars immediately in order to stay safe
Drivers have been issued the warning to remove these items from their car(Image: Getty Images )
As the UK enjoys a sunny bank holiday weekend, there are certain items you should ensure are removed from your car in the hot weather to maintain safety.
Parts of the UK have been basking in heatwave conditions, with Brits relishing three days of splendid sunshine this week. The mercury has soared to unusually high levels for this time of year, with London setting a new record yesterday at 29.3C.
The mercury soared to highs of 25C in Scotland earlier this week on Wednesday (April 30). It comes as motorists are being advised to keep their cars free of four specific items in the heat to prevent fire hazards and potential health risks.
Although temperatures across Scotland are set to dip following the mini-heatwave which swept across the country, it’s vital to know what should be removed from your car as the hotter months approach.
Bottled water
Staying hydrated during long drives is essential, especially with temperatures predicted to reach 31 degrees. However, drivers need to be mindful about where they leave their water bottles, reports the Mirror.
Certain items left in cars can be dangerous to your health(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Leaving them in a parked car can be dangerous as the heat inside vehicles under direct sunlight can cause chemicals to seep from the plastic bottle into the water, rendering it unsafe to drink.
In extreme heat, water bottles left in view from the window could act like a magnifying glass on interior components such as carpets or seats, creating a fire hazard.
Sun cream
Sun cream is a must-have in hot weather to avoid sunburn, but it can cause damage to your car’s interior if left exposed. Similar to water bottles, the plastic containers holding sun cream can become brittle and build up pressure, potentially leading to an explosion of sun cream onto the interior.
The Express reports that high temperatures can also compromise the effectiveness of sun cream, leaving users vulnerable to harmful UV rays.
Medicine
Common medications such as paracetamol and other painkillers can lose their potency if left in a hot car. Despite appearing unchanged, exposure to high temperatures can affect how the active ingredients work.
Healthcare professionals advise drivers to exercise caution and avoid consuming medicines that have been stored in their vehicles. To ascertain whether a particular medication can withstand car storage, drivers should refer to the instructions on the packaging, which usually indicate the maximum safe storage temperature.
Battery-powered electronic devices
While theft is a common reason for not leaving expensive electronics in cars, battery-operated items can also pose a risk to the vehicle’s interior in hot weather. Devices like smartphones, MP3 players, cameras, and laptops contain dense batteries that shouldn’t be exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees.
Such high temperatures can not only diminish the performance of these devices, causing them to drain faster, but they can also potentially ignite under extremely hot conditions.
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