As winter approaches, you might want to think twice about what you leave in your car. Cold temperatures can wreak havoc on items you might casually toss in the backseat or trunk.
From freezing liquids to damaged electronics, the chill of winter is often underestimated, and keeping the wrong things in your vehicle could lead to regret when you discover the costly or inconvenient aftermath.
Medications
Storing your medicines in your car during winter can lead to reduced efficacy. Cold can alter their composition, effectiveness, or even freeze liquid forms. Always check storage guidelines on labels and keep them indoors.
Pets
Leaving your pets in your car during winter can be harmful, as exposed in an American Kennel Club article. Even with a fur coat, your pets can suffer from cold-related health issues. Always ensure they’re safe and warm indoors.
Electronics
In winter, leaving electronics in your car can cause battery damage or affect functionality. Devices can endure low temperatures, but persistently cold conditions are detrimental. Always take your electronics with you to avert potential issues.
The Danger of Leaving Canned Food in the Cold
When temperatures plunge, canned goods in your car are at risk. Freezing can cause cans to swell, potentially leading to health problems. Always remember to bring your canned items inside to avoid spoilage and ensure safety.
USDA advice highlights the hazards of frozen cans. Swollen cans need careful handling—thaw them in the fridge before use.
Chocolate or Candy
Stowing your chocolate or candy in the car during winter might lead to a gooey mess. Cold initially hardens them, but as your car warms up, they melt. Plus, cleanup is a sticky ordeal! Keep sweets with you to avoid surprises.
Plastic Items
When temperatures plummet, any plastic items in your car, such as water bottles or takeout containers, can become brittle and crack. Avoid leaving these behind to prevent messes or losing valuables. Always remember to bring any plastic items inside.
Musical Instruments
Taking care of your musical instruments is crucial, especially during cold months. Winter temperatures can severely damage them. Keep in mind:
- Wooden instruments: They can crack as the material contracts in cold.
- Brass instruments: Cold can warp the shape.
Remember, it’s best to bring them indoors!
Cosmetics
Leaving your makeup in the car during winter can lead to cracked powders and separated liquids. Lipstick, for instance, might freeze and break or melt if exposed to car heaters. Remember to grab your cosmetic bag before leaving the car!
Perishable Food
Leaving perishables in your car during winter can lead to freezing and spoilage. Temperature fluctuations may cause foods like eggs to crack or spoil, so it’s best to take groceries inside promptly.
Batteries
Your car battery dislikes cold weather, as it can reduce its life and performance. Keep a charger handy and avoid leaving extra batteries in the car. Stay charged!
Sensitive Documents
Keep your identity safe by not leaving sensitive documents like passports or bank statements in your car. Thieves target such valuables, even in cold weather. Always take these items with you to avoid potential identity theft.
Aerosol Cans
When temperatures plummet, your aerosol cans are at risk. They can explode if left in your car during winter due to the extreme pressure caused by cold. Always take them inside to avoid a dangerous situation.
Glasses and Sunglasses
Be mindful to remove your glasses and sunglasses from your car during cold spells. The frigid temperatures can render the materials brittle, leading to potential damage or breakage. Keep them safe and maintain their longevity by bringing them indoors with you.
Leather Items
When winter hits, your car’s interior can experience extreme temperature changes. Leather goods such as jackets or purses can suffer. They risk drying out, cracking, or warping with the cold. Always take your cherished leather items with you rather than risking damage by leaving them in your car.
Houseplants
Be mindful not to leave your houseplants in the car during winter. They’re sensitive to cold and can perish in the chilling temperatures. Always bring them inside to ensure they stay warm and protected.
Propane Tanks
Storing propane tanks in your car during winter is risky. Temperatures drop, and a leak could be disastrous. Keep them out of enclosed spaces, including your vehicle. For safety tips, see guidelines on storing propane tanks. Always prioritize your safety.
Vinyl Records
If you cherish your vinyl records, remember they’re sensitive to extreme cold. Vinyl can become brittle and, in some cases, even crack when exposed to low temperatures. It’s best to keep them out of your car in winter.
Car Care Products
During winter, extreme temperatures can damage your car cleaning products. Here’s what to avoid leaving in your car:
- Liquids like waxes, polishes, and cleaners could freeze, separating the ingredients and rendering them ineffective.
- Pressurized cans, such as de-icers or tire inflators, may burst if they freeze.
Sporting Equipment
Keep your sporting gear safe from the cold. Winter temps can damage items like:
- Golf Clubs: Cold can warp metal.
- Tennis Rackets: Strings may lose tension.
- Basketballs: Air contracts, making them deflated.
Fire Extinguishers
Keeping a fire extinguisher in your car is wise, especially to tackle unexpected fires. Ensure it’s in good condition and readily accessible. However, extreme cold can impact its functionality. Check guidelines on proper storage during winter to prevent damage. Safely store your extinguisher.
Why Leaving a Book or Magazine Might Be a Mistake
Leaving reading materials in your car during winter can cause them to suffer. Cold and moisture may warp pages and lead to a faded cover. Keep your books and magazines inside to preserve your treasured readings.
Avoiding the Regret of Ruined Pastime Gear
1Your winter hobbies deserve care. Snowboards, skis, and other pastime gear can suffer from the cold and moisture found in a car during winter. To avoid damage:
- Dry everything before storage.
- Keep gear in a temperature-controlled environment.
