Another Thing Not To Leave In Your Car
- Mutual Assurance Society
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Whether it is a hot or even a mild, sunny day, a water bottle, like the kind we all have rolling around in our cars, is a fire risk. We know what you're thinking: "Water is a fire risk?" When left in the sunlight in your car, it certainly is.
How Water Causes Fire
In tests conducted by the Midwest Fire Department in Oklahoma, full and partially full clear plastic water bottles were left in the sun, where a focused beam created by rays hitting the water and plastic ignited flammable materials in under an hour.
This happened recently to a battery technician in Idaho. While sitting in his truck on his lunch break, Dioni Amuchastegui noticed smoke passing through the center console of his truck. When he looked closer, he saw his passenger car seat smoldering, where refracted light from the bottle was hitting it. "It was starting to catch the seat on fire," he said.
Intense sunlight magnified by a water bottle can reach 250°F - 400°F. Because the light is concentrated on one spot, that surface quickly overheats and eventually can combust. The added heat in the car's interior can cause more rapid ignition on hot days.
In higher humidity, the chance of ignition is decreased, but your seats may still singe or melt, and who wants that reminder every time you get into your car.
Firefighters suggest you not "play with fire" when it comes to leaving water bottles unattended in your car on a sunny day. They also recommend that you ensure bottles are out of direct light or covered, if not removed entirely.
Health Risk
The risk of fire isn't the only reason you shouldn't leave a plastic water bottle in your car on a sunny or hot day. When heated, plastic water bottles can lead to harmful chemicals leaching into the water. While dioxins are not released, other chemicals such as BPA and microplastics can leach out, posing potential health risks. You should store plastic water bottles in a cool, dark place (like a cooler in your trunk) or take your bottles with you when you leave the car.
Summary: It is best not to leave your plastic water bottles in your car when the sun is shining, whether it is hot or cold outside.
Sources: USA Today, ForEveryMom.com, KIRO 7