Extremely hot temperatures are expected across much of the country this summer.
The inside of a car is one of the most dangerous places for young children and pets during a heat wave. But everyday objects can be dangerous too.
Water bottles, for example, pose particular dangers when temperatures start to rise, experts say.
One unexpected risk is the ability of water bottles — especially clear bottles containing clear liquid — to start a fire, David Richardson, chief administrative officer for the Midwest City Fire Department in Oklahoma, told ABC News.
Depending on the presence of sunlight, the reflective qualities of the bottle and liquid can heat nearby objects to the point of fire ignition if they are hot enough, Richardson said.
When Richardson first heard about the potential dangers of water bottles, he didn’t believe it. So he tested the product in a controlled environment and discovered that a water bottle was capable of punching a hole through a piece of paper, like a magnifying glass.
Richardson pointed out that the ideal conditions for this phenomenon are met. Not only must the bottle and liquid be clear, but sunlight must penetrate the car optimally. Vehicles with tinted windows probably do not pose the same risk, he added.
“The chances are quite low, but they are not impossible,” he explained.
Ingesting liquid that has been cooking inside a plastic water bottle in a hot car for a period of time could also impact human health.
The manufacturing process of a bottle, its chemical composition, the outside temperature and the length of time the bottle is exposed to heat all mean that liquids can be contaminated with toxins, board-certified toxicologist and emergency medicine physician Dr. Stephanie Widmer told ABC News.
While researchers and experts disagree, the risk is not zero, Widmer said. It’s best to avoid drinking from plastic bottles that have been exposed to high temperatures until more conclusive research is available, she added.
Electronic devices with lithium batteries, such as e-cigarettes, electric scooters or toys, could also become dangerous when left in a hot car, Richardson said.
If the plastic casing surrounding the battery melts and exposes the lithium-ion battery to direct sunlight in addition to high temperatures, it is possible for it to explode, Richardson said.
Experts also advise against leaving everyday items in hot cars because they can explode, including aerosol cans, canned or bottled soda, and lighters. Common items left in hot cars, like sunscreen, medications, and alcohol, can all spoil, while eyeglasses and sunglasses can melt and warp.
Leaving humans in hot cars remains the number one danger, often with fatal consequences.
It is essential to remember that leaving children or pets in a parked car, even for a short period of time, is very dangerous and can be fatal, Widmer said.
More than a dozen children have died since the beginning of the year after being left in a car in hot weather. According to KidsAndCars.org, nearly 1,100 children have died in hot cars since 1990.
Extreme heat is expected for the remainder of the summer across much of the United States.
