What Items Should Not Be Left in the Car During Summer to Avoid Fire Risks?
2 Answers
During summer, leaving these items in the car may lead to spontaneous combustion or explosion: 1. Lighters: The main component of ordinary lighters is liquid butane, which is highly flammable and explosive. High concentrations of butane can explode at room temperature (20°C). If the lighter's environment exceeds 30°C, the car's interior temperature can reach 60-70°C after exposure to sunlight. If a lighter self-detonates due to sun exposure, it is considered human-caused damage, and insurance companies will not cover the loss. 2. Reading glasses, magnifying glasses, and other convex lenses: Reading glasses are convex lenses that can focus sunlight. If exposed to direct sunlight for a prolonged period, the focused light can rapidly increase the temperature at the focal point. 3. Perfume: Sealed perfume bottles can explode when the expanding gas inside cannot escape due to high temperatures. Crystal or glass perfume bottles, in particular, can act like magnifying glasses under direct sunlight, focusing light onto flammable materials, which is extremely dangerous. Therefore, avoid leaving perfume in the car during summer. 4. Pressurized spray cans: Items like hairspray, shaving foam, and insecticide sprays rely on high internal pressure to expel the liquid. These products are also flammable. If left in a hot car, they can become highly volatile. 5. Power banks and batteries: These items are often labeled in their instructions as unsuitable for high-temperature environments. Exposure to sunlight in a car can easily cause explosions. Power banks (also known as "portable chargers") are particularly risky, as the market is flooded with substandard products. Some unscrupulous manufacturers use fake or refurbished battery cells, which are even more prone to explosions.
It's crucial not to leave flammable items in the car during summer. I've found lighters to be the most dangerous—their plastic casings can spontaneously combust or explode under high temperatures, especially when the car's interior soars above 50°C. Perfume bottles are also prone to catching fire, as their alcohol content evaporates upon heating and can ignite upon contact with static sparks. Aerosol cans like hairspray should never be left behind—last year, my neighbor's car suffered significant damage due to an exploding sunscreen spray. Power banks and phones are risky too, as lithium batteries become unstable in heat, increasing the risk of short circuits and spontaneous combustion. My advice: always check the dashboard and seats before exiting the car, removing all such items to maintain a tidy interior and minimize hazards.
