Summer car Easily converts into a warehouse on wheels: bottles of water remain in the doors, medicines in the glove compartment, glasses on the seat, and equipment and cosmetics in the cabin.
But a parked car in the Greek sun quickly heats up to temperatures that can cause everyday items to deteriorate, become ineffective, or simply fall prey to a thief. You should be especially careful with medications, sunscreen, electronic devices, plastic water and glasses.
1. Medicines
Most medications are recommended to be stored in a cool, dry place, usually around 20-25°C. In a car in summer, the temperature can quickly go far beyond these limits, especially in the sun. Due to overheating, the drug may lose some of its effectiveness before the expiration date.
Particularly sensitive to heat insulin, some inhalers, nitroglycerin, liquid antibiotics, pen medications, and medications that require refrigeration. If the package has been lying in a hot room for a long time, it is better to check with the pharmacist whether the drug can be used further, FDA, MHRA.
2. Electronics
Phones, tablets, laptops, power banks, DVRs and other gadgets do not tolerate overheating well. At best, the device will turn off or start working slower. At worst, the battery, screen, case or internal electronics will suffer.
There is also a more prosaic reason not to leave equipment in the car: it is visible through the glass and attracts thieves. Even if it’s not the phone itself that’s stolen, they might break a window for a bag, a cable, or an old tablet that you forgot under the seat. Humanity has not yet figured out a way to make a laptop left in plain sight less tempting than a wallet on display.
3. Sunscreen
It is better not to store sunscreen in an overheated car. Manufacturers are required to indicate that the product should be protected from excessive heat and direct sun. If exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time, the formula may become unstable, separate, or be less protective of the skin.
If the cream has changed its smell, color, consistency, or has become watery and uneven, you should not use it. It is safer to take the bottle with you in your bag or store it in a cool place, reports FDA.
4. Plastic water bottle
Water left in the car most often does not automatically become “poisonous,” but heating a disposable plastic bottle is still not a good idea. Heat can speed up the transfer of some substances from plastic into water, and the water itself can quickly acquire an unpleasant taste and odor.
At the same time, statements that one warm bottle necessarily causes cancer or heart disease, are too categorical and not scientifically confirmed in such a direct form. Research does look at the migration of bisphenols, phthalates and other compounds from packaging, especially when heated, but the actual risk depends on the type of plastic, temperature, time and overall level of exposure. The practical conclusion is simple: do not keep water in a hot car for days and, if possible, use a reusable stainless steel or glass bottle.
Cm. Research on the effect of temperature on the migration of substances from plastic
5. Glasses
It is also better to take sunglasses and regular glasses with you. High temperatures can deform plastic frames, loosen mounts, or damage lens coatings. This is especially true for cheap plastic frames, polarized lenses and glasses with protective coatings.
In addition, good glasses often become a noticeable bait for a thief. Not because the criminal was necessarily dreaming of your frames, but because through the glass it is impossible to understand whether there are sunglasses for €20 or a designer model for €300.
Most important: never leave children or animals in the car.
A child or animal should not be left in a closed car even for “five minutes.” Open windows and shade offer little help: the temperature in the cabin rises very quickly, and a child’s body heats up much faster than an adult’s.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration specifically emphasizes that a child should not be left in a car unattended for even a minute. If you see a child or animal left in a closed car in the heat, you should immediately call emergency services, writes N.H.T.S.A.
The main rule is simple: In summer, a car is a means of transport, not a closet, a first aid kit, a refrigerator and a storage room at the same time. It is better to take everything valuable, temperature-sensitive or potentially dangerous with you, even if you are “just for a minute”.
Sources: FDA, FDA, MHRA, N.H.T.S.A..
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