Leaving items in your car might seem convenient, but some everyday belongings can be damaged, stolen, or worse when left behind. From the heat of summer to the chill of winter, the temperature in your car can wreak havoc on certain items. Wherever you are, sometimes leaving things in your car can make you a target for thieves. Here’s a list of some of the things you should always take with you when leaving your car.
Electronics
Laptops and other electronic devices are highly vulnerable to extreme temperatures. Heat can cause batteries to swell and screens to warp, while the freezing cold may damage internal components. Beyond the risk of physical harm, electronics left in plain view can attract thieves.
Even if they seem out of sight, burglars know where to look and will target your vehicle if they see something of value, like tablets or phones. If you must leave them behind, keep them in the boot and park in a shaded or secure area so they’re safer from the elements. But remember that this is still not a foolproof solution.
Prescription Medications
Medications often need to be stored in specific conditions, and the inside of a car is far from ideal. Extreme heat can reduce their effectiveness or even alter their chemical composition, making them really unsafe to use. Cold temperatures can cause liquids to freeze and bottles to crack, which is also not good if you depend on your medication to keep you healthy. Always check the storage instructions on medication labels and avoid leaving them in your vehicle for any length of time if they need to be stored in specific temperatures.
Water Bottles
Leaving plastic water bottles in your car might seem harmless, but unfortunately, it’s not. When exposed to high heat, plastic can release chemicals like BPA into the water, potentially making it unsafe to drink. Sunlight that shines through a bottle can even pose a fire hazard in some extreme cases. Keeping your water bottle with you means you can stay hydrated all day, and it also prevents potentially harmful chemicals from leaking into your water and then into your body.
Food Items
Some food can go bad really quickly if you leave it in your car, especially during warm weather. Even non-perishables like chocolate or snacks can melt, creating a really sticky mess and attracting pests. The smell of decaying food can stay in your car for days, making it a horrible place to sit on long journeys.
Additionally, bacteria can thrive on badly stored food, posing health risks if you ate it accidentally. If you’re running errands, bring a cooler bag for groceries, or just avoid leaving food in the car altogether.
Handbags or Wallets
Handbags and wallets contain almost all your valuables, like your cash and your cards. This makes them prime targets for theft. Even if you think they’re hidden, thieves know that they can get lucky if they break into your car and check all the areas people usually hide their wallets and handbags. Beyond the financial loss, stolen IDs or credit cards can be an absolute nightmare to fix. Instead of leaving them behind, always take your wallet or handbag with you, even if you aren’t leaving your car for long.
Sunscreen
Leaving sunscreen in a hot car might seem harmless because we do it all the time, don’t we? Unfortunately, it can degrade the product and make it less effective. Heat causes the ingredients to break down, reducing their ability to protect your skin from the harmful sun.
To ensure your sunscreen remains effective and safe, always keep it in a cool place. Carrying it with you when you leave the car means it will stay ready to use whenever you need it.
Glasses
Both prescription glasses and your everyday sunglasses can suffer when left in a hot car. High temperatures may warp the frames or damage the lense coatings, such as anti-glare or UV protection. For sunglasses, the heat can cause the tint to peel or bubble, reducing their effectiveness. To protect your glasses, keep it in a hard case and make sure to take it with you when you leave the car. A little care will ensure they last much longer and remain functional.
Musical Instruments
Instruments like guitars, violins, or brass pieces can be seriously damaged by extreme temperatures and humidity inside a car. Wood can warp, strings may snap, and metal components can tarnish or even completely corrode.
Even a short amount of time in a hot car can throw an instrument out of tune or cause permanent damage. It would be very embarrassing to turn up for a performance with an instrument that’s out of tune just because you left it in the car, wouldn’t it?
Pets
It’s never safe to leave pets in a parked car, even if you’re only gone for a few minutes. On hot days, the interior of a car can reach life-threatening temperatures really quickly, which can cause heatstroke or worse in animals.
Animals also experience anxiety and stress when left alone in unfamiliar environments, so taking your pet with you ensures their safety and comfort and prevents some potentially tragic outcomes. If you’re unable to bring them along, it’s better to leave them at home.
Makeup and Beauty Products
Cosmetics left in a car, especially in hot weather, can quickly go bad. Lipsticks melt and powders can become clumpy, rendering them completely unusable. Even in colder temperatures, freezing can change them so much they no longer work. It might seem convenient to store makeup in your car, but it’s a recipe for waste and potential skin irritation. To keep them safe and functional, just carry them with you, or store them somewhere they’re supposed ot be stored.
Batteries
Loose batteries left in a car can become dangerous very quickly, particularly if they’re left in extreme heat. High temperatures can cause them to leak or even explode, potentially damaging your vehicle or hurting one of your passengers. Cold weather isn’t kind to them either because it can lower their lifespan and performance.
Whether it’s spare batteries for devices or rechargeable power packs, you should always store them at the right temperature. Keeping them out of your car will ensure that they stay safe and keep their longevity.
Artwork
Paintings, photographs, and other forms of art can get really damaged if you leave them in your car. The heat and humidity can cause paint to crack and photo paper to curl. Cold temperatures can also damage them by causing brittleness and cracking.
Even exposure to direct sunlight through car windows can fade the colors on your canvases that you worked on for so long. If you’re transporting art, keep it in a climate-controlled environment and limit the time it spends in your vehicle.
Documents
Leaving important documents like passports or contracts in your car is a super risky move because paper is highly sensitive to environmental conditions. Heat and moisture can cause warping or ink smudging. Beyond physical damage, these items are highly valuable to identity thieves, making your car the ideal target for these kinds of criminals. Always keep essential documents on your person, or just keep them safe at home.
Athletic Equipment
Sports gear, such as pads and helmets, can degrade quickly when left in a hot car. Lots of sports equipment, like basketballs or tennis balls, contain rubber parts that can crack or lose their bounce. Moisture trapped in gear bags can also lead to mildew and unpleasant odors.
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic drinks may seem like nothing could harm them, but extreme temperatures can ruin their flavor and quality. Heat can cause pressure to build inside sealed bottles and cans, potentially leading to leaks or dangerous explosions. In freezing conditions, liquids expand, which may crack bottles or push out corks.
Also, leaving your alcohol on display could violate local laws or even make your car a target for theft. If you need to transport alcoholic beverages, make it a priority to bring them indoors as soon as you get to wherever you’re going.
Disposable Lighters
Leaving lighters in your car, especially on hot days, can be extremely dangerous. High temperatures can cause the fuel inside them to expand, potentially leading to an explosion. If you usually carry a lighter with you, make sure you take it with you, or store it in a safe, stable environment away from heat sources. Taking this small precaution can prevent accidents and keep your car safe from potential harm.