Is It Safe to Leave Bottled Water in the Car During Summer?
3 Answers
Leaving bottled water in the car during summer is not safe. Although the plastic bottle itself does not burn, it can refract sunlight, creating a focusing effect that can easily ignite flammable items inside the car. Therefore, it is best not to leave bottled water in the car during summer. Below are items that should not be left in the car during summer: 1. Lighters: Many people smoke, and smoking while driving is common. Lighters are a frequently used item, and some careless drivers may toss them aside after lighting a cigarette, thinking they are safe if placed out of direct sunlight. However, prolonged exposure to rising temperatures inside the car can cause the gas inside the lighter to expand and explode. 2. Power banks and batteries: Cars often sit in the sun during summer, and the enclosed interior can reach temperatures far exceeding the heat tolerance of lithium batteries inside power banks. This can lead to the battery cells being ruined or, in severe cases, causing explosions or fires with unimaginable consequences. 3. Perfume: Many people enjoy using car perfumes and place them on the dashboard near the windshield, which is directly exposed to sunlight. Perfume bottles can explode under prolonged high temperatures and sunlight. Additionally, one of the main ingredients in perfume is alcohol, which is flammable and can contribute to car fires.
I think we need to be careful about leaving plastic water bottles in the car during summer, as I learned this lesson the hard way. Last summer, I parked outside a supermarket for just one hour when the car interior temperature approached 50°C. When I drank the water later, I noticed the bottles had deformed and the water tasted like plastic, which almost gave me diarrhea. After researching, I discovered high temperatures can cause plastic bottles to release harmful substances like BPA, and long-term consumption may affect health—especially for more vulnerable children. Since then, I've switched to using stainless steel insulated bottles for carrying water—convenient and safe, a must-have for summer travel. If you must keep water bottles in the car, I recommend storing them in the cooler trunk area or finishing them the same day, avoiding prolonged direct sunlight. Safety first—developing good habits can prevent many problems.
As an experienced driver who often takes long trips in summer, keeping water bottles in the car is common but requires some techniques. When the car interior gets hot, the water in the bottle heats up quickly, not only affecting the taste but also potentially causing the plastic bottle to leach chemicals. Once, I left a bottle on the dashboard for a few hours, and the water became scalding with an odd smell. Since then, I only buy small bottles and finish them promptly. The trunk is relatively cooler, but it's still not ideal for long-term storage. Now, I prepare ice packs to wrap around the bottles before heading out or choose products labeled BPA-free to reduce risks. For health's sake, pay attention to temperature changes and the condition of the bottles—don’t sacrifice safety for temporary convenience.
