Drivers urged to remove three key items from cars over heatwave safety fears

25 June 2024 , 07:33

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Drivers have been issued an urgent heatwave warning (Image: (Image: Getty/Tetra Images RF))

Motorists are being urged to remove three items from their vehicles as the heatwave intensifies.

The soaring summer temperatures can unexpectedly compromise your safety while driving. A yellow heat health warning has been issued this week, with the mercury expected to reach a scorching 29C, according to the Met Office. The UK Health Security Agency has also cautioned about potential life-threatening risks.

Drivers are now being advised to remove three specific items before the heat becomes unbearable.

Firstly, bottled water. It's not uncommon to forget a water bottle in the car after a long day, but as the temperature increases, chemicals from the plastic can seep into the water, making it unsafe to consume, reports the Express.

In extreme cases, they can even act as a magnifying glass for sunlight and potentially start a fire inside the vehicle. The safest option is to remove the bottle from the car to ensure both the vehicle's safety and the water's freshness.

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Secondly, medication. It may come as a surprise, but most common over-the-counter drugs like paracetamol, calpol, and other pain relievers have a maximum safe storage temperature.

Leaving a pack of painkillers in a hot car could render them less effective or entirely useless. In fact, most commercial painkillers and medicines are only rated up to 25C, which means you could inadvertently worsen your condition.

Sun cream, also known as sun block or sunscreen, is another issue when left in a hot car. It can go off inside the bottle and could even explode due to the pressure in the heat.

It's advised to treat it like out of date sun cream and replace it.

What should you keep in your car during a heatwave?

Make sure you have plenty of petrol (or diesel) because fuel runs out faster in a heatwave. You also need to ensure the car has enough water and oil, both of which are vital on hot days, and that your aircon gas is topped up.

Other than that, take care and drive carefully in the sunshine and keep an eye on your engine's temperature gauge to avoid costly breakdowns in the sun.

Matt Clemenson