With the hustle and bustle of daily life, your car often becomes an extension of your home. Whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, or embarking on a weekend getaway, your vehicle is a trusted companion. However, in Malaysia’s tropical climate, where the mercury often soars, there are certain items you should never leave inside your car. Doing so can pose significant safety risks and, in some cases, lead to dangerous situations.
This guide will walk you through 8 items that every car owner should be cautious of leaving behind. Have you checked your car for any of these items today? Here’s a quick checklist to ensure you’re not leaving anything potentially dangerous behind:
Lighter
Lighters, despite their small size, can be risky if left in your vehicle. High temperatures inside a parked car can cause the lighter’s fuel to expand, possibly leading to an explosion. This is especially concerning in Malaysia, where intense heat is common throughout the year. So, if you’re a frequent smoker, be sure to take your lighter with you when exiting your car.
Power Banks
Power banks have become essential in our tech-driven world, keeping our gadgets charged. However, they can become dangerous if left in a hot car. Heat can cause lithium-ion batteries to overheat, leading to smoking or combustion. If you leave your power bank on a car seat in direct sunlight, excessive heat can degrade the battery and, in extreme cases, cause a fire. The risk increases if the power bank is damaged or of poor quality. To prevent hazards, always take your power bank with you when leaving the car.
Perfume Bottles
Perfume bottles, often left in cars, pose hidden risks. Most contain alcohol, which can evaporate and increase pressure in the bottle when exposed to heat. In Malaysia’s climate, parked cars can reach temperatures that cause perfume bottles to burst, potentially damaging your car’s interior. Avoid leaving them in your car by carrying a travel-sized version in your bag or storing them at home.
Water Bottles
Water bottles, a car staple, can become hazards when left in a hot car. Sunlight through a transparent bottle can create a magnifying effect, increasing fire risk. Heat can also cause chemicals from the plastic to leach into the water, making it unsafe.
To avoid these risks, take water bottles with you or store them in a shaded area.
Spectacles With Lens
Spectacles are essential for clear vision, but in a car, they can become fire hazards. Lenses can focus sunlight onto one spot, potentially starting a fire. This risk is higher if glasses are on the dashboard in direct sunlight, which heat can also warp frames or damage lens coatings.
Store spectacles in a case in a cooler part of the car or take them with you when parking.
Aerosol Sprays
Aerosol sprays, like deodorants or air fresheners, can explode if left in a hot car. Heat increases pressure inside the can, which can cause an explosion, damaging your car or harming anyone nearby.
Avoid leaving aerosol cans in your vehicle, especially during hotter months. If needed, store them in a cool, shaded area or take them with you.
Canned Drinks
Canned drinks can experience heat-induced pressure build-up. In Malaysia’s climate, leaving canned beverages in the car can cause the liquid to expand and potentially burst the can, making a mess and possibly ruining your car’s upholstery or electronics. Always take canned drinks with you or store them in a cooler area.
Medicines
Storing pills and medicine in your car can compromise their efficacy and safety. Medications are often sensitive to extreme temperatures, and the heat inside a parked car in Malaysia can easily exceed recommended storage conditions, reducing their potency or making them unsafe.
To ensure your medications remain effective and safe to use, always carry them with you or store them in a temperature-controlled environment.
Car safety goes beyond just driving carefully or locking your doors. It’s about being aware of potential hazards and taking steps to avoid them. By being mindful of what you leave behind, you can ensure that both you and your vehicle remain safe.
For more tips and tricks on car safety and maintenance, check out the educational content at the BHPetrol Blog – we’ve covered safety tips to drive on slippery road during rainy season, latest highway scams in Malaysia to stay alert from, and car air con hacks that help enhancing your driving experience. Stay informed, stay safe, and enjoy your journeys with peace of mind.
