Will a Lighter in the Car Catch Fire?
2 Answers
Keeping a lighter in the car is unsafe, especially in summer, as high temperatures inside the vehicle can cause the lighter to explode. The heat-induced rupture of a lighter, when in proximity to fuel or flammable materials inside the car, can easily trigger a fire. Below is relevant information: Causes: This mainly occurs when the car is exposed to prolonged sunlight, causing the interior temperature to rise above 60 degrees Celsius. The internal pressure of the liquid butane in disposable lighters also increases, making them prone to explosion. Additionally, if a lighter explodes while the car is in motion, flying debris can potentially cause traffic accidents. Items Unsuitable for Storage Inside the Car: Perfume. Some people like to place perfume in front of the windshield, but in a sealed car exposed to sunlight, temperatures can reach 50-60 degrees, posing a hazard. Mobile phones and chargers. Chargers and phones are at risk of exploding under high temperatures. Hairspray and carbonated beverages. Similar to lighters, the gas inside pressurized cans of hairspray and carbonated drinks can expand when heated. Plastic or metal containers can easily explode due to heat, making this situation dangerous both while driving and when parked.
Keeping a lighter in the car does pose a fire risk, and I personally pay close attention to this because the butane liquid inside the lighter can expand and explode under high temperatures. In summer, the temperature inside a car can soar above 60 degrees Celsius, turning it into an oven. If a lighter is directly exposed to sunlight, the internal pressure can rise rapidly, and if it ruptures, it could ignite other items in the car, such as seats or plastic decorations. Once, my neighbor forgot to remove a lighter, and the car window ended up scorched—fortunately, the fire was noticed and extinguished in time. That’s why I always remind my family to empty the glove compartment before getting out of the car, especially of small flammable items like these. Regularly checking the car’s temperature and ventilation is also crucial—don’t leave such things inside for convenience’s sake. Safety comes first.
