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Don’t leave these inside your parked car this summer
With the whole country experiencing extreme levels of heat this summer, a hot car can be a dangerous place.
Bureau of Fire of Protection (BFP) spokesperson Fire Supt. Annalee Carbajal-Atienza said you should not leave the following things inside your parked vehicle:
Bottled water - Leaving bottled water inside a hot car can be harmful as sunlight passing through the bottle can be focused into a super hot beam similar to a magnifying lens that in turn can cause a fire.
Flammable materials - Stuff that can ignite easily and burn rapidly. These include aerosol cans, chemical cleaning agents, air fresheners, disinfecting alcohol, colognes and perfumes. Candles, matches and lighters are also potential fire starters.
Electronics - Hot temperatures may not only cause irreparable damage to certain electronic devices but in some cases too much heat can turn these into fire hazards. As a precaution don’t leave power banks, or gadgets with batteries such as mobile phones, cameras and tablets inside your parked car, especially if you’re leaving it outdoors for a long time.
Pets - Your furry friends should never be left unattended inside vehicles according to the American Veterinary Association. Lack of ventilation or water during high temperatures may cause death.
Medication - Exposing medication to high heat can shorten their shelf life and it may also alter their chemical composition.
Atienza also shared the following tips to GMA News Online:
- As much as possible, park in a shaded and covered area or make use of sun visors.
- If you are leaving the vehicle for an extended period, you can disconnect the car battery.
- Avoid parking on or near potentially flammable materials such as dry grass or trash.
According to the BFP, there has been a 23% increase in fire incidents around the country within the first two months of 2024.—Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News
