Things You Should Never Leave in Your Car

Leaving items in your car may seem harmless, but the truth is that a vehicle’s interior can become a hazardous environment due to extreme temperatures, theft risks, and potential chemical reactions. Understanding what should and should not be left behind can save you from discomfort, loss, and even serious harm. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the things you should never leave in your car.

1. Children

Leaving children alone in a parked car, especially on a hot day, is extremely dangerous. Children are particularly vulnerable to heatstroke because their bodies heat up much faster than adults. The temperature inside a car can rise rapidly, reaching dangerous levels in just a few minutes. Heatstroke can cause severe health issues or even be fatal. Always bring your children with you, regardless of how short your errand may be.

2. Pets

Pets are equally at risk when left in a car. Dogs, in particular, are less efficient at cooling themselves compared to humans, relying on panting to regulate their body temperature. In a hot car, pets can quickly become overheated, leading to distress, health problems, or death. Even on a relatively mild day, the temperature inside a car can soar to dangerous levels. It’s crucial to never leave your pets unattended in a vehicle.

3. Medications

Medications are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Exposure to extreme heat or cold can alter their chemical composition, potentially rendering them ineffective or even harmful. Always refer to the storage instructions on your medication packaging and keep them in a controlled environment. A car’s interior, which can experience extreme temperature changes, is not a suitable place for storing medications.

4. Wallet or Purse

Leaving your wallet or purse in your car can attract thieves. These items often contain valuable items such as cash, credit cards, and personal identification. If stolen, you could face unauthorized purchases, identity theft, and the lengthy process of replacing personal documents. To avoid these risks, always take your wallet or purse with you when leaving your car.

5. Important Documents

Important documents like passports, birth certificates, and legal papers should not be left in your car. The heat can cause these documents to fade and deteriorate, and if stolen, they could be used for identity theft or fraud. Instead, keep these sensitive items securely stored at home. If you’re concerned about having your proof of insurance with you, consider using your insurer’s mobile app for digital access.

6. Perishable Foods

Perishable foods, such as dairy products, meats, and prepared meals, can spoil quickly in a hot car. When temperatures rise above 40°F (4°C) for more than two hours, bacteria can multiply rapidly, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. Moreover, spoiled food can create unpleasant odors that linger in your car. To avoid health risks and unnecessary waste, make sure to remove perishable groceries promptly and avoid leaving them in your vehicle.

7. Certain Drinks

Certain beverages, like milk and juice, can spoil or ferment when left in a hot car, leading to unpleasant tastes and potential health risks. Wine can also suffer from heat exposure, as it accelerates the aging process, making it taste flat and lifeless. Additionally, cold temperatures can cause some drinks to freeze and potentially damage their containers. To ensure the quality and safety of your beverages, avoid leaving them in your car.

8. Water Bottles

Water bottles left in a hot car can pose health risks. High temperatures can cause chemicals from the plastic, such as bisphenol A (BPA), to leach into the water. Additionally, opened bottles can grow bacteria if left in the heat. For your safety, store water bottles in a cool place and avoid leaving them in your vehicle for extended periods.

9. Batteries

Batteries are sensitive to temperature extremes. High temperatures can cause the chemicals inside to expand, potentially leading to leakage and damage to electronic devices and your car’s interior. Cold temperatures, on the other hand, can reduce a battery’s effectiveness and lifespan. To prevent damage and environmental hazards, store batteries in a temperature-controlled environment and avoid leaving them in your car.

10. Lighters

Leaving lighters in a hot car can be dangerous. The flammable liquids inside can expand due to heat, increasing the risk of leakage or even explosion. This poses a fire hazard and potential injury. Always keep lighters in a cool place and avoid leaving them in your car.

11. Electronics

Electronics are particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures. High heat can cause internal components to melt or warp, while cold temperatures can freeze and damage displays and batteries. To prolong the lifespan of your devices, avoid leaving them in your car, especially during extreme weather conditions.

12. Luggage

Luggage often contains valuable and personal items that can attract thieves. If your car is broken into, you could lose expensive possessions and important travel documents. Additionally, the disruption caused by losing personal belongings can significantly affect your travel plans. Always keep your luggage with you or in a secure location.

13. Jewelry

Jewelry left in a car can be an easy target for thieves. Whether valuable or sentimental, jewelry should never be left in your vehicle. To protect your valuables, keep them on your person or securely stored at home.

14. Cosmetics

Cosmetics can be adversely affected by temperature changes. High heat can cause products like lipsticks and foundations to melt, while cold temperatures can cause them to freeze and become unusable. Extreme conditions can also alter the chemical composition of these products. Store your cosmetics in a controlled environment to maintain their quality and effectiveness.

15. Plants

Plants are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Heat can cause them to wilt or burn, while cold temperatures can freeze their cells, leading to damage. Additionally, the lack of ventilation in a parked car can increase humidity and encourage mold growth. To keep your plants healthy, avoid leaving them in your car.

16. Aerosol Cans

Aerosol cans contain pressurized contents that can be hazardous in high temperatures. Heat can increase the internal pressure, leading to potential explosions or leaks. This can release harmful chemicals into your car’s interior. To avoid these risks, store aerosol cans in a cool, dry place.

17. Low Gas Tank

Driving with a low gas tank can lead to several issues, especially in cold weather. Condensation in an empty or nearly empty tank can mix with gasoline and potentially freeze, causing blockages and starting problems. Additionally, a low fuel level can overheat the fuel pump and cause it to wear out prematurely. Keep your gas tank at a sufficient level to avoid these complications.

18. Sunscreen

Sunscreen left in a hot car can degrade, reducing its effectiveness in protecting you from harmful UV rays. The heat can break down the active ingredients and encourage bacterial growth. To ensure your sunscreen remains effective, store it in a cool environment and avoid leaving it in your vehicle.

19. Art Supplies

Art supplies, especially those containing solvents or sprays, can be affected by temperature changes. High heat can cause expansion and potential leaks, while cold temperatures can cause freezing and separation. To preserve the quality and safety of your art supplies, keep them in a stable, controlled environment.

20. Musical Instruments

Musical instruments are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. Extreme heat can warp wood and damage finishes, while cold can cause cracking and misalignment. Instruments like violins and guitars, with their delicate components, are particularly vulnerable. Always keep your musical instruments in a climate-controlled environment.

21. Glasses

Extreme temperatures can warp or melt glasses, particularly those with plastic frames. For sunglasses, prolonged heat exposure can damage the UV protective coating, reducing their effectiveness. Cold temperatures can make glasses brittle and prone to breaking. Store your glasses in a safe, temperature-stable place.

22. Firearms

Storing firearms in your car can be risky due to the high incidence of vehicle thefts. Firearms left in vehicles are a common target for thieves. If you must store a firearm in your vehicle, ensure you comply with state and local regulations to mitigate risks.

FAQs

Q: Why is it dangerous to leave children in a parked car?

A: Children are more susceptible to heatstroke because their bodies heat up much faster than adults. In a hot car, temperatures can rise quickly, increasing the risk of heatstroke, which can be life-threatening. It's essential to never leave children unattended in a vehicle.

Q: Can pets be left in a car if it’s not too hot outside?

A: No, pets should never be left in a car, regardless of the outside temperature. Cars can heat up rapidly, and pets are at risk of overheating, which can lead to serious health issues or death. Always take your pets with you.

Q: How does temperature affect medications left in a car?

A: Extreme temperatures can alter the chemical composition of medications, potentially making them ineffective or harmful. Medications should be stored in a controlled environment as per their packaging instructions to maintain their safety and efficacy.

Q: What risks are associated with leaving a wallet or purse in a car?

A: Leaving a wallet or purse in a car can attract thieves, leading to the theft of cash, credit cards, and personal identification. This can result in unauthorized purchases, identity theft, and the lengthy process of replacing lost documents.

Q: What happens to important documents if left in a car?

A: Important documents like passports and legal papers can be damaged by heat and humidity, leading to fading and deterioration. Additionally, if stolen, these documents could be used for identity theft or fraud.

Q: Why should perishable foods not be left in a car?

A: Perishable foods can spoil quickly when exposed to temperatures above 40°F (4°C), leading to foodborne illnesses. Bacteria grow rapidly in such conditions, and spoiled food can also create unpleasant odors in your car.

Q: Are there any drinks that are particularly sensitive to being left in a car?

A: Yes, drinks like milk, juice, and wine can spoil or ferment when left in a hot car, affecting their taste and safety. High temperatures can also accelerate the aging of wine, making it taste flat.

Q: What risks are associated with leaving water bottles in a car?

A: Plastic water bottles can release harmful chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) into the water when exposed to high temperatures. Additionally, opened bottles can grow bacteria, making the water unsafe to drink.

Q: How do extreme temperatures affect batteries left in a car?

A: High temperatures can cause batteries to leak corrosive chemicals, damaging electronic devices and your car’s interior. Cold temperatures can reduce a battery’s effectiveness and lifespan. Batteries should be stored in a temperature-controlled environment.

Q: Why is it unsafe to leave lighters in a hot car?

A: The flammable liquids inside lighters can expand due to high temperatures, leading to leakage or even explosion. This poses a fire risk and potential injury. Keep lighters in a cool place to avoid these dangers.

Q: What damage can electronics suffer if left in a car?

A: Electronics can experience irreversible damage from extreme temperatures. High heat can melt internal components, while cold can freeze displays and reduce battery life. To protect your devices, avoid leaving them in your car.

Q: What are the risks of leaving luggage in a car?

A: Luggage often contains valuable items that can attract thieves. A break-in can result in the loss of expensive possessions and important documents, disrupting travel plans. Keep your luggage with you or in a secure location.

Q: Why should jewelry not be left in a car?

A: Jewelry can be an easy target for thieves if left in a car. To avoid theft and protect valuable or sentimental items, keep jewelry on your person or securely stored at home.

Q: How can temperature changes affect cosmetics left in a car?

A: High temperatures can cause cosmetics to melt, while cold temperatures can lead to freezing and damage. Extreme conditions can also alter the effectiveness and texture of cosmetics. Store them in a stable environment.