Many of us leave personal objects in our cars overnight to keep them close at hand. But there are certain things you should not leave in your car, especially in extreme temperatures.
Freezing temperatures from a harsh arctic blast are expected to affect nearly 300 million Americans across most of the continental U.S. in the coming days. Be sure you do not leave an of these items out in the cold:
Aerosol cans
Extreme temperatures can cause aerosol cans to “become unstable” and potentially break or explode.
Canned beverages and foods
Canned goods that freeze can present health risks. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, cans will swell if the food inside expands when frozen — or because of bacteria. You should discard any swollen cans as unsafe.
Cans that are not swollen but have frozen and thawed out are also unsafe and should be discarded.
Beverages can also expand inside their containers when frozen, leading to cracks, breakage and leaks.
Eggs
Eggs should not be frozen in their shells, USDA says. Liquid in the eggs will expand when frozen and crack the shell. This may cause shell pieces to break or mix in with the eggs. It may also cause spoilage, bacterial contamination, and change the texture of the eggs.
If an egg accidentally freezes and the shell cracks during freezing, discard the egg for safety’s sake. Keep any uncracked eggs frozen until they are needed; then thaw in the refrigerator.
Electronics
Leaving electronics, like your cell phone or tablet, in a freezing car can impact how they function. Freezing temperatures are too extreme for electronics and can damage batteries. Sub-zero temperatures can cause condensation and electrical shorts.
Some manufacturers − like Apple and Samsung − recommend you don’t expose products to extreme temperatures at all, since most devices work best when used at temperatures above 32 degrees.
Medications
Medicine is another item that should not be frozen.
When medications do freeze accidentally, there’s no way to tell if they’re still safe to take. Even if you thaw it out, it’s better to get it replaced than to take the risk that it’s ineffective or even dangerous,
In general, any liquid medication in a “suspended state” will likely be negatively affected if its frozen, according to AARP.
Reach out to your provider or pharmacist if you have questions on your medication.
Loved ones
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children and elderly people can be more susceptible to hypothermia at cold temperatures, with symptoms such as shivering, confusion and exhaustion. Even limited amounts of time in an unheated vehicle could be dangerous, even for pets.