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Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
It's heating up in Oklahoma. Here are 10 things you shouldn't leave in a hot car this summer
Oklahoma could see record-breaking heat this month, so you probably want to crank up your air conditioners for the season — if you haven't already. You may also want to check what's in your car. Just like when it's freezing outside, there are certain things you shouldn't leave in the car during scorching temperatures. Temperatures inside your vehicle can become dangerous very quickly. Last year, 39 children died in the U.S. from heatstroke in vehicles, up 35% from 2023, according to the National Safety Council. Over half of the children who die of heatstroke in vehicles are as a result of a parent or caregiver forgetting a child in the car, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Here's what to know as Oklahoma heats up for the summer to keep you and your family safe: Never leave your children or pets in your car unattended It's never OK to leave a child or pet in a hot car. And cracking a window doesn't make a difference either, the American Veterinary Medical Association notes. Over the past 25 years, more than 1,010 children have died of heatstroke after they were left or were trapped in a hot car. In 2018 and 2019, there were a record number of hot car deaths with 53 children dying each year, the most in at least 25 years, according to In Oklahoma, 31 children have died in hot cars since 1998, according to the National Safety Council. How to prevent hot car deaths in Oklahoma: The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends the following steps to prevent hot car deaths: Ask your childcare provider to call you if your child does not show up for daycare as expected. Never leave a child in your vehicle unattended at any time. Rolling down the windows does very little to keep the vehicle cool during the warmer months. Check your entire vehicle, especially the back seat, before exiting your car. You can place your personal items in the backseat as another reminder to check the car before you leave. Keep your keys and fobs out of your child's reach and teach them that the car is not a place to play. If you see a child alone in a locked car, immediately call 911. What else shouldn't I leave in the car when it's hot out? Aerosol cans Extreme temperatures can cause aerosol cans to "become unstable" and potentially break or explode, according to Capital One Auto Navigator. Batteries Keeping batteries in hot weather or direct sunlight poses a fire risk, the U.S. Fire Administration says. Batteries that overheat can also leak or rupture. You should always follow the manufacturer's directions for batteries. Electronics Like with batteries, you should always follow the manufacturer's directions when it comes to electronics. Most — like Apple and Samsung — recommend you don't expose products to extreme temperatures at all. Food and beverages You shouldn't leave your groceries in a hot car for more than two hours, or one hour when it's above 90 degrees, Geico recommends. Not only can some items, like canned beverages, make a mess in extreme temperatures, the FDA says foodborne illness-causing bacteria doubles every 20 minutes. Lighters The flammable fuel inside of lighters could expand and breach their casings, posing a fire or explosion risk, according to Geico. The USB Lighter Company notes disposable or cheaper lighters are also more susceptible to extreme temperature effects than other kinds. Medications Extreme temperatures can cause medications to become less effective or cause unintended side effects, Baylor College of Medicine notes. You should not take medications if they have been exposed to heat and have changed color, texture or odor. If you're unsure whether a medication has gone bad, you should call a pharmacist or healthcare provider. Most medication bottles also have temperature and expiration dates, according to Baylor College of Medicine. Plastic bottles Plastic water bottles are known to 'leach' chemicals into water, a process driven by heat, USA TODAY reported. If you drink the water inside of a plastic bottle that's been left in a hot car, you could be ingesting some harmful chemicals. More: Fact check: Plastic water bottles left in hot cars don't release dioxins, do leach other chemicals Sunscreen Sunscreen that's exposed to high temperatures can shorten its shelf life, Geico said, citing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 10 things you shouldn't keep in a hot car amid extreme heat in Oklahoma
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Extreme cold is in Tennessee. Here are 8 things you shouldn't leave in your car in these temps
It's an understatement to say it's cold outside. A blast of arctic air has enveloped most of Tennessee bringing temperatures to bitterly cold standards and that is before you add in the effects of the wind. When temperatures go into these extremes, whether it is hot or cold, a lot of things can be affected beyond just human comfort. Machines can have trouble running, pipes can freeze and things left in your car can become a hazard or be damaged. Here are eight things you shouldn't leave in the car when it gets this cold. And you probably shouldn't leave them in there if it gets too hot either. Extreme temperatures can cause aerosol cans to "become unstable" and potentially break or explode, according to Capital One Auto Navigator. When frozen, the liquid in canned drinks can expand, causing the can to crack and burst, leaving a mess in your car. Canned food that freezes, on the other hand, is unsafe to eat and should be discarded, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This goes for both cans that become swollen when freezing and those that don't become swollen. Leaving a wooden string instrument in a cold car, like a guitar, cello or violin, is a recipe for disaster, according to Johnson String Instrument. Exposure to the cold weather can cause the moisture to be sucked out of your instrument, leading to loose pegs, cracks in the wood and damaged strings. Ideally, medicines should be kept on your person or in your home, not in the car. Medicine that is left in the extreme cold can become ineffective or harmful, and if frozen or left in the cold it should be replaced. Electronics, like your phone, tablet or laptop, should not be left in the car in the cold. Exposure to extreme temperatures can affect how these items work and damage the battery. For items that were left in the cold, it's important to let them acclimate to warmer temperatures before attempting to use them, according to online tech support forums. While many of us leave our sunglasses in their car, this is a practice to avoid during cold weather, especially with prescription glasses. If eyeglasses go through an extreme temperature change, this can cause the frames to warp and even crack the lenses. In extreme cold, the plastic frames can become brittle and break. What is lake effect snow?: Lake effect snow in Middle Tennessee? Why this morning's snow was 'unusual to see' When an egg is exposed to extreme cold, it can cause the inside to freeze and the shell to crack. If this happens, the egg is not considered safe to eat and should be discarded. Any eggs that have frozen but not cracked can be kept in the freezer and thawed in the refrigerator when needed. Oh and not to mention the cost of losing a dozen eggs right now. While this one should be obvious, it's an important reminder that a cold car is just as dangerous as a hot one to humans and animals. This especially goes for children and the elderly, who are more likely to experience hypothermia at cold temperatures. Even limited amounts of time in an unheated vehicle can be dangerous, and this goes for pets as well. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee hit with extreme cold. Don't leave these items in the car
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
With extreme cold headed to Oklahoma, here are 8 items not to leave in your car in winter
With an arctic blast incoming for Oklahoma, here's your reminder to clean out your car. When temperatures are outside the norm, i.e. extreme hot or cold, everyday items you might keep in your car without thinking about it should be brought inside. Here are eight things you shouldn't leave in your car during cold weather — and many of these items should stay out of hot weather, too. Extreme temperatures can cause aerosol cans to "become unstable" and potentially break or explode, according to Capital One Auto Navigator. When frozen, the liquid in canned drinks can expand, causing the can to crack and burst, leaving a mess in your car. Canned food that freezes, on the other hand, is unsafe to eat and should be discarded, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This goes for both cans that become swollen when freezing and those that don't become swollen. Leaving a wooden string instrument in a cold car, like a guitar, cello or violin, is a recipe for disaster, according to Johnson String Instrument. Exposure to the cold weather can cause the moisture to be sucked out of your instrument, leading to loose pegs, cracks in the wood and damaged strings. Ideally, medicines should be kept on your person or in your home, not in the car. Medicine that is left in the extreme cold can become ineffective or harmful, and if frozen or left in the cold it should be replaced. Electronics, like your phone, tablet or laptop, should not be left in the car in the cold. Exposure to extreme temperatures can affect how these items work and damage the battery. For items that were left in the cold, it's important to let them acclimate to warmer temperatures before attempting to use them, according to online tech support forums. While many of us leave our sunglasses in their car, this is a practice to avoid during cold weather, especially with prescription glasses. If eyeglasses go through an extreme temperature change, this can cause the frames to warp and even crack the lenses. In extreme cold, the plastic frames can become brittle and break. When an egg is exposed to extreme cold, it can cause the inside to freeze and the shell to crack. If this happens, the egg is not considered safe to eat and should be discarded. Any eggs that have frozen but not cracked can be kept in the freezer and thawed in the refrigerator when needed. However, the uses of a frozen egg are limited. They can be hard cooked but the egg will not flow like one that hasn't been frozen or mix well with the egg whites or other ingredients, according to the USDA. While this one should be obvious, it's an important reminder that a cold car is just as dangerous as a hot one to humans and animals. This especially goes for children and the elderly, who are more likely to experience hypothermia at cold temperatures. Even limited amounts of time in an unheated vehicle can be dangerous, and this goes for pets as well. Contributing: Cailey Gleeson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Arctic blast hits Oklahoma: Here's 8 things not to leave in your car
