The rising temperatures and direct sunlight on the car are the main concerns for car owners during the summer. Many people tend to leave various items inside their vehicles for quick and easy access, but some of these items can pose a danger to themselves or others due to the heat. Numerous safety agencies warn against leaving specific items in the car during the daytime, emphasizing the need to remove them due to their potential to explode or catch fire, such as cigarette lighters and perfumes.
In this regard, automotive content creator Ahmed Salem stated in a discussion on "Sky News Arabia’s" morning program that:
- It's crucial to avoid the potential risks associated with leaving mobile phones in the car's glove compartment, due to the extreme heat which can cause the battery to melt.
- While perfumes and similar substances do not typically cause large explosions, neither do cigarette lighters; when exposed to heat, they only produce limited effects. The problem arises if a flame occurs from leaving these items unattended, as there may be no one around to respond quickly to the situation.
- Before leaving the vehicle, it’s essential to check for any materials or items that could pose a fire risk and potentially harm the vehicle.
- Given the high temperatures, unexpected issues in the car may arise, such as an electrical short that could cause a fire or billowing smoke. If this happens while driving, whether smoke is coming from the car itself or the dashboard, the vehicle should be pulled over immediately.
- In case of an electrical short in the battery, it is necessary to disconnect the battery cable. Hence, every car driver should have enough knowledge to handle such situations as part of emergency preparedness.
- Please refrain from leaving perfumes and spare batteries (power banks) inside the vehicle due to the significant risks they present.
- It is recommended not to leave any compressed products, such as sprays and deodorants, in the car.
- Avoid leaving water bottles inside the car since they can reflect sunlight and potentially cause a fire when the light is reflected onto plastic inside the vehicle.
- Generally, it is advisable to open the car windows for a few minutes when first turning on the air conditioner, especially on hot days, to ensure proper ventilation.
- For a higher level of safety, it is recommended to leave a note containing information about the car owner's whereabouts or how to contact them in emergencies.
