10 things you should never leave in a hot car as Alabama temperatures climb

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Summer heat across Alabama can turn a parked car into a hazard zone quickly — damaging everyday items and in some cases, creating real safety risks.

With the normal high in the Montgomery area around 91 degrees this time of year, safety experts warn that even a short stop can leave items “baking” inside a vehicle. Research from Arizona State University’s heat health team found a car parked in direct sunlight on an 80-degree day can reach about 120 degrees inside within an hour. In hotter conditions, dashboard temperatures can climb even higher — past 165 degrees on a 95-degree afternoon.

High heat can break down medications, spoil food, damage plastics and electronics, and raise fire concerns, especially with pressurized containers and battery-powered devices.

Here are 10 everyday items experts warn drivers should not leave in a hot car:

1. Aerosol cans (hairspray, deodorant, spray sunscreen, dry shampoo, spray paint) — Pressurized containers are commonly tested around 120 degrees and can fail in extreme heat.
2. Medication — The FDA says most medicines should be stored between 68-77 degrees. Heat can reduce potency, including insulin and epinephrine.
3. Sunscreen — The FDA recommends protecting sunscreen from excessive heat and direct sunlight because active ingredients can break down.
4. Food and groceries — The USDA warns perishables should not sit in the 40–140 degree “danger zone” for more than two hours, or one hour when it’s above 90 outside.
5. Eyewear — Plastic frames can warp and lens coatings can bubble, crack, or peel after heat exposure, especially on dashboards.
6. Lighters and matches — Extreme heat can increase pressure in disposable lighters and raise fire risk.
7. Glasses cases and clear water bottles — Clear objects can focus sunlight like a magnifying lens, creating hot spots that can scorch materials.
8. Important documents — Passports, Social Security cards, laminated IDs, and thermal receipts can warp, fade, or become unreadable.
9. Pets and children — Safety groups warn a child’s body heats up much faster than an adult’s, and temperatures inside a car rise rapidly even on mild days.
10. Lithium-ion devices (phones, laptops, power banks, vapes, e-bike batteries) — Prolonged heat exposure can lead to swelling, leaking, or thermal runaway.

Battery safety expert Shane Margereson of Ecigone warns drivers to watch for signs of damage in lithium-ion devices, including swelling, a sweet chemical smell, discoloration, or a device feeling warm when it hasn’t been used. If that happens, he advises stopping use and keeping the device away from anything flammable while it’s taken to a proper battery recycling location.

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