June 24, 2021

As we make these various trips with our kids in the car, you and they may leave things in the car that don’t always do well in the heat. And when the sun’s beating down, your car turns into an oven, which can also take a toll on your personal belongings.

Below are 10 things you’ll want to keep out of your scorching hot vehicle unless you want a hot mess on your hands and challenging cleanup, according to The Weather Channel:

Hand sanitizer: While it’s unlikely hand sanitizer will explode or catch fire, sunlight and heat can cause the alcohol to evaporate, making it less effective in killing germs and viruses.

Medications: Being out in the sun or exposed to heat can actually change the composition of some medications or degrade their potency.

Disposable lighters: Lighters are very dangerous to have in a vehicle when the mercury rises because they have the ability to explode in high temperatures, which can cause damage to glass inside the vehicle or burn holes in the seats. In the worst-case scenario, it can spark a fire in your car. 

Chocolate: Don’t leave any chocolate candies in the car, as they will liquefy in a jiffy all over your seats. It may be easy to clean up on leather seats, but on fabric it’s another story.

Canned soft drinks: If you don’t want to clean up a sticky mess after the can explodes courtesy of the heat, don’t leave canned soda in your car.

CDs and DVDs: Old school? Remove any CDs and DVDs you have stored in that little slot in your car-door if you want to continue listening to/watching them. These items can warp and eventually melt if left in a hot car for a long enough period of time.

Sunglasses: High heat can warp the shape of frames and the lenses in your glasses. That would be a shame if you own a pair of high-end shades.

Plastic items: Not only will many plastics melt in high temperatures, never drink from a plastic water bottle that has been left in the car. Chemicals in the bottle’s plastic could leak into the drink and cause health problems.

Crayons: Your kids may have left their crayons in the car on your road trip. And if you leave your car in the sun while at the aquarium or outlet mall, you may return to a dazzling mess, but still a mess that’s soaked colors into your seats and carpeting. Melted crayons, since they are wax-based, are extremely hard to clean up.

Lipstick: Worse than crayons, lipstick easily melts in even mildly hot environments and is no match for a hot vehicle. Put it in your purse and take it with you, unless you want to be scrubbing your car later.

This information is being provided for general informational purposes only. Meemic Insurance Company does not assume any liability in connection with providing this information.