An expert warns on the risks of these everyday items that can turn lethal in a vehicle…
With summer heating up across the UK, millions of drivers are hitting the roads often with packed cars, cold drinks, and a boot full of everyday items. But a motoring warning from experts at Number 1 Plates has homeowners and drivers on alert: some of those common summer items you leave in your car could explode in the heat and the consequences can be dangerous or even deadly.
“People don’t realize just how hot the inside of a car can get in the summer,” a motoring expert from Number 1 Plates told ATV Today Lifestyle. “Even on a mild day, your car can turn into an oven. It doesn’t take long for certain items to become ticking time bombs.”
A Hot Car Can Be a Death Trap: It’s easy to forget something in the back seat or glove box when you’re running errands or heading to the beach but heat builds fast in parked cars. On a sunny 21°C day, the inside of a vehicle can reach over 40°C in less than 30 minutes. On hotter days, it can climb to 60°C or more.
For homeowners and families who rely on their cars for daily life, this can be a hidden danger especially when keeping items like power banks, deodorants, or even canned drinks inside.
The Items That Can Explode
1. Aerosol Cans – These are a major risk. Hairsprays, deodorants, and air fresheners in pressurized cans can explode when exposed to extreme heat. The heat causes the gas inside to expand, and if the pressure builds up enough, the can will burst damaging your car and posing a serious fire risk.
2. Bottled Drinks (especially fizzy) – Soda bottles left in a hot car can expand and pop, sending sticky liquid everywhere. More worryingly, glass bottles can shatter and plastic ones can warp, turning them into a hazard to touch or sit on.
3. Power Banks and Batteries – These handy gadgets help charge phones on the go, but lithium-ion batteries don’t do well in heat. Extreme temperatures can cause them to swell, leak, or even catch fire.
4. Lighters and Vape Devices – Butane lighters and vape pens are both highly flammable. If they overheat, they could ignite damaging your interior or worse, setting off a fire inside your car.
5. Cans of Food or Spray Paint – Just like aerosols, these cans are under pressure. Left in a hot car, they can explode or leak, leaving behind a mess and possibly injuring passengers.
3 Simple Tips to Stay Safe This Summer: 1 – Don’t leave pressurized cans in the car. Store deodorants, hair sprays, and air fresheners in your home instead. 2- Take batteries and electronics with you. Power banks, laptops, and phones should never be left in a parked car in the sun. 3 – Open windows slightly if you must leave the car for a short time. This won’t stop the heat completely, but it can reduce the risk of pressure buildup.
According to the team at Number 1 Plates, many drivers are still unaware of the real risks heat poses inside vehicles. “It’s not just about comfort or keeping food cool. We’ve seen cases where car interiors were severely damaged by exploding items, and some even led to fire services being called out,” the expert shares.
Leaving items like hand sanitizers, which often contain alcohol, in a hot car may also pose risks not necessarily by exploding, but by becoming flammable. That’s especially dangerous if you light a cigarette or use a vape just after entering the vehicle.
Aside from the health and fire risks, replacing parts of a damaged interior can be expensive. “Exploded cans can rip upholstery or ruin dashboards. Cleaning costs can run high, and in some cases, drivers have needed replacement windows or full valets after items shattered or leaked,” they warn.
Families and homeowners often treat their car as an extra storage space especially on school runs, weekend getaways, or DIY store trips. But that casual habit can quickly lead to serious consequences. Summer isn’t just about holidays it’s also about heat safety. While drivers may take extra care with pets and children, they often overlook what they leave behind in the car boot or glove box. By learning which everyday items are risky, homeowners can avoid dangerous (and costly) surprises.
