In the busy hustle and bustle of life, a constantly clean car can sometimes be out of the question. All it takes is leaving a water bottle in the car one day, and a wrapper the next. And for families with children, a clean car seems nearly impossible. From Sarah leaving her Pirate’s Booty bag in the back seat, to Johnny leaving his iPad on the floor – kids are notorious for leaving stuff behind. While it doesn’t seem like a big deal all the time, there are some items that can potentially be dangerous if left in the car.
Food & Drink – The obvious reason for this one is the mess! No one wants melted chocolate or spoiled milk on their interior. But did you know bacteria that can cause food-borne illnesses double every 20 minutes even at room temperature, according to the FDA? So don’t leave groceries or leftovers in a warm car for more than two hours.
Lighters – Check your center consoles and glove compartment. Leaving these fire starters in your car can be dangerous. When exposed to high heat, the flammable liquid inside can expand and breach the lighter, creating a fire hazard.
Sunscreen – It’s always a good idea to keep sunscreen on you, especially during the summer months. But keeping it in your car is a bad idea. Being exposed to high heat can shorten the shelf life of your sunscreen.
Aerosol Cans – These cans often have storage temperature recommendations on them. This is because they are pressurized cans and are very sensitive, causing them to explode in high heat.
Plastic Bottles – You’ve probably heard this one before. The heat can make BPA from the plastic bottle seep into and containment your water.
Batteries – Keep these at home. High temperatures can cause them to leak battery acid. Not only does this cause a mess, but it is very harmful to your health when inhaled.
Electronics– Have you ever left your phone in the sun and got a temperature warning? The same thing can happen in a hot car. Electronics can be damaged by excessive high heat.
We’d rather you be safe than sorry, so double check none of these are left behind. As always, we are here to help keep your interior and exterior clean and tidy!