Is It Safe to Sleep in a Car with the Engine Off?
1 Answers
It is possible to sleep in a car with the engine off, but it's important to avoid closing all doors and windows completely. Instead, slightly open a portion of the windows. Studies indicate that when carbon dioxide concentration in a sealed vehicle reaches 1%, the body may experience mild poisoning symptoms, including brain hypoxia and unconsciousness. At levels exceeding 3%, breathing difficulties occur, and concentrations above 6% can be fatal, especially during deep sleep when individuals may not wake up even when called. Therefore, sleeping in a car with the engine off poses certain risks and is detrimental to health. Here are some precautions for sleeping in a car: 1. Ensure proper ventilation and warmth: Partially open a window or door. However, it is not advisable to sleep in a new car due to the presence of harmful substances like formaldehyde in leather and fabrics, which can be carcinogenic. 2. If idling with the air conditioning on, avoid using the recirculation mode: Incomplete fuel combustion produces carbon monoxide, which can accumulate inside the car and lead to fatal poisoning. It's recommended to partially open windows to allow air circulation. 3. Take breaks of at least 20 minutes after driving for 4 hours: However, do not stop and sleep on the highway emergency lane, as this often leads to rear-end collisions.
