As the UK braces for a sizzling weekend with mercury levels predicted to soar up to 34C, drivers are being urged to clear out four everyday items from their vehicles to dodge any serious damage.
The Met Office stated the necessary conditions for weather to be considered a heatwave. They said: “a UK heatwave threshold is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold. The threshold varies by UK county”.
Greater London and neighbouring Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Cambridgeshire are most likely to meet heatwave criteria, with the Met Office stating that daily highs must hit at least 28C to enter official heatwave territory.
Bottled water
It’s crucial to keep hydrated during long drives, especially when the forecast hints at a scorching 34C, but motorists need to be savvy about where they stash their water bottles and make sure not to leave them in the car when parked.
Cars parked under the blazing sun can turn into ovens, potentially causing chemicals to leach from plastic bottles into the water, rendering it unsafe to drink. And if the heat cranks up even higher, a water bottle left in sight could act like a lens, focusing sunlight onto car interiors like seats or carpets, and sparking a fire risk, reports the Express.
Sun cream
Another essential for scorching weather, sun cream may protect drivers from getting burnt in the heat – but it can wreak havoc on a car’s interior if left exposed. Much like water, plastic bottles containing suncream can become brittle and cause a buildup of pressure, which can ultimately lead to the suncream splattering all over the interior.
In many instances, exposure to high temperatures can also render the sun cream much less effective, meaning it won’t shield users from the sun.
Medicine
A wide array of common medicines, including paracetamol and other types of painkillers, can also lose their effectiveness after being left inside a hot car. While the tablets may still appear normal, exposure to a hot climate can cause ingredients to behave differently.
Many medical experts suggest drivers should err on the side of caution and avoid taking medicines that have been left inside their car. To determine if a driver can leave a certain medication inside their car, they should read the instructions inside the packet, which often state the maximum temperature at which they can be stored.
Battery-powered electrical devices
While many motorists avoid leaving pricey electronic devices in their car due to the risk of them being stolen, items that use a battery can also cause damage to the interior in sunny weather.
Items such as smartphones, MP3 players, cameras and laptops all feature incredibly dense battery packs that, in most cases, should not be left in temperatures above 40C. While exposure to these temperatures can make devices less effective, losing charge at a much faster rate, they may catch fire in particularly hot weather.
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