Seven Items to Remove from Cars in Extreme Heat
Drivers in Birmingham are being warned to remove seven specific items from their vehicles as temperatures are forecast to reach 36°C on Thursday. The Met Office has issued a rare red heat alert for the East Midlands, Birmingham, and the South of England for Wednesday and Thursday.
According to motoring experts, leaving certain items in a hot car can lead to damage, leaks, or even explosions. Vapes are among the most commonly forgotten items, often stored in cup holders or gloveboxes.
Vapes and Lithium Batteries at Risk
Shane Margereson, spokesperson for vape experts Ecigone, said: “A vape should never be left baking in a car. The battery, liquid and seals are all affected by heat, so the safest approach is simple: take it with you, keep it out of direct sun, and do not charge it in a hot vehicle.”
He added: “If a device feels unusually hot, looks swollen, leaks, or starts behaving differently after being left in the heat, stop using it. Let it cool somewhere safe and check the manufacturer's guidance before using or charging it again.”
Full List of Items to Remove
The seven items drivers should remove from cars in hot weather are:
- Vapes and spare lithium batteries – heat can damage batteries and increase the risk of swelling, leakage or failure
- Aerosol cans – including deodorant, hairspray and cleaning sprays, as pressure can build in high temperatures
- Disposable lighters – can crack, leak or burst if left on a hot dashboard or seat
- Bottled fizzy drinks, cans and carbonated water – can expand and potentially leak or burst
- Medicines – including inhalers, insulin and some tablets, as heat can reduce effectiveness or damage the product
- Sun cream – can separate or lose stability when repeatedly exposed to high heat
- Glasses and sunglasses – frames can warp and lenses can be damaged, while exposed glass can also focus sunlight
Additional Precautions for Parked Cars
Drivers should also avoid charging phones, power banks, vapes or other battery-powered gadgets in a parked car during a heatwave. Charging already creates heat, which can add to the temperature inside the vehicle.
Food shopping should not be left in the boot for long either. Chilled and frozen products can quickly move into unsafe temperatures, while chocolate, make-up, crayons and wax-based products can melt and leave hard-to-clean stains.
The safest habit is to treat a parked car like a greenhouse. Before leaving it for more than a few minutes in hot weather, drivers should scan the dashboard, seats, door pockets, glovebox and boot for anything pressurised, battery-powered, perishable or heat-sensitive.
