Can an air cushion still be used if left in a high-temperature car?
2 Answers
An air cushion cannot be used if left in a high-temperature car because the temperature inside a car exposed to direct sunlight can reach up to around 100 degrees, which may cause items to deteriorate. Below are some precautions regarding items placed inside a car: Avoid placing mobile phones and flammable items in high temperatures: Leaving a mobile phone in a car is dangerous, as excessive heat in summer can cause the phone to explode; disposable lighters should not be left in a car, as high temperatures can cause them to explode and potentially start a fire. Avoid placing glass perfume bottles: Glass perfume bottles should not be placed on the car dashboard, as sudden braking or a frontal collision can cause the bottle to move forward due to inertia and shatter the windshield. Avoid placing items that reflect sunlight: Reading glasses should not be left in a car, as they act as convex lenses and can focus sunlight like a magnifying glass, leading to excessively high temperatures and potentially causing a fire; bottled water is also hazardous, as cylindrical water bottles can similarly focus sunlight and cause a fire inside the car. Avoid placing aerosol sprays: Pressure-can sprays, such as insecticides in metal cans, should not be left in a car. The pressure inside the cans, combined with high temperatures, can cause them to rupture.
Last time I went camping, I left my inflatable mattress in the car under direct sunlight for a whole day. When I took it out, I found it completely deformed and with a strong plastic smell. After consulting a friend who works with materials, I learned that high temperatures can cause PVC materials to decompose and release plasticizers, which are not good for the skin when lying on them. Moreover, when a car is exposed to direct sunlight, the internal temperature can reach 70°C, causing the adhesive at the seams of the air mattress to soften and lead to air leaks. Now, I always store my air mattress in an insulated box in the trunk and let it cool in a shaded area for half an hour before use. If you really have to keep it in a high-temperature environment, remember to replace it every three months, otherwise it’s prone to damage.
