16/05/2026
With some warm weather promised, Moneysupermarket is warning drivers - Don't leave these 5 items in a hot car:
Mirrors and reflective items
Items with reflective surfaces or magnifying effects can easily start a fire if they’re left in direct sunlight.
Mirrors, reflective sunglasses, and even clear water bottles all refract sunlight and can cause a fire inside a vehicle or, at the very least, leave scorch marks.
Food and drink
There are plenty of reasons to not leave old food and drink in your car on a hot day. Not only can they become mouldy and smelly, but fizzy drinks can explode in high heat and if your car is parked for an extended time - like in an airport carpark - pests can become a problem.
Electronics and rechargeable gadgets
In recent years battery fires have become a serious cause for concern, with UK fire brigades tackling three lithium-ion battery related fires every day. These kinds of fires are especially dangerous; they spread quickly, are difficult to put out, and can even reignite after being extinguished.
In worst cases, heat can cause lithium ion batteries to swell and even catch fire, but high temperatures can also damage other electronic components that can reduce performance or cause gadgets to stop working altogether.
EpiPens, inhalers, and other medications
While you think it might be savvy to store EpiPens and other medications in the car for emergencies, in a hot car the heat can warp plastic and reduce effectiveness, making them unfit to use.
Medications should be stored in a dark, cool place, so don’t leave them in your car in hot weather, and consider investing in an insulated case to keep them from getting too hot if you are having to carry them around. If you keep a first aid kit in your vehicle, keep it out of direct sunlight by storing it in the glove box or boot.
Sprays and aerosols
In high temperatures, the pressurised contents of aerosol containers can expand and cause them to burst or even explode. This can happen to body sprays, deodorants, hairsprays, air fresheners, and gas dusters.
Many of these items also tend to be flammable, so there is an added fire risk if they do rupture.
Please enjoy your days out in the warmer weather later this week and stay safe on the roads!
Knighton Tyres are Main Agents for NEXEN tyres and we supply & fit new tyres for your Tractors, Trailers, Harvesters, Diggers, Ploughs, Bailers, Pickers, Quads, 4x4's and Land Rovers, pick-ups etc.
Knighton Tyres - Number 1 for Tyres, Exhausts and Batteries.
Mobile Puncture repair service for all Agricultural machinery.
Call us or visit: 11 Station Rd, Knighton, LD7 1DT
Click: www.knightontyreserviceltd.co.uk/
