Some car owners treat their cars as stores to keep their things for easy reach.
But storing things in your car can be an eyesore when not arranged. Moreover, some of the things may put you and your car at risk.
Bjak will share some of the things that you should not keep in your vehicle for safety purposes.
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Power bank or any electronic
Electronic devices powered by lithium-ion batteries are hazardous when exposed to hot temperatures, potentially causing a car fire.
Some electronic devices that you must not leave in your cars are phones, laptops and power banks.
For your awareness, in October 2017, Berita Harian reported that a man nearly suffered huge losses when his power bank caught fire after being left in his car during hot weather. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident.
Aerosol
Did you know that aerosol cans such as hair sprays, insecticides, fragrances, spray paints and asthma medications are highly flammable?
Avoid leaving any aerosol can in your car as the chemicals in it can react to heat and, in turn, cause an explosion.
Gas tank
Please never leave a gas tank in your car, even for a short while. It is a known fact that a gas tank can quickly explode when it is exposed to high temperatures or when it leaks.
Learn from these incidents:
In November last year, a mechanic died in a fire after his Perodua Alza caught fire in Terengganu. The state’s Director of Fire and Rescue Malaysia (JBPM), Md. Hilman Abd. Rashid said to Kosmo that the initial investigation found three gas tanks for welding work and an oxygen tank at the back seat of the victim’s vehicle.
In another incident in June 2018, a man was burnt for carrying a tank of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), which was believed to be leaking. As reported by Berita Harian, his car exploded after he lit up his lighter to smoke in USJ. The victim suffered burns on both hands while his vehicle was severely damaged.
Lighter or match
If you are a smoker, ensure that you do not leave your lighter or match in your car.
You may find it convenient to just keep your lighter or match in your car, but you cannot afford to risk your life and car.
Remember that leaving a lighter or match in your vehicle is dangerous as it can explode when left in a hot car.
Medicine
Do not leave any medicine in your vehicle for an extended period. As you may be aware, medicines may no longer be safe for consumption when exposed to high temperatures. Consuming spoiled medication can put your health at risk.
Bear in mind that most medicines have to be kept at room temperature.
Petrol
Storing petrol in a container in a car boot for emergency use is very dangerous as petrol is highly flammable.
You may think that keeping a container filled with petrol in your vehicle will not easily cause a fire due to hot weather and will need a fire to ignite.
But your car may run into an accident, and having a petrol-filled container in your vehicle will put you and your vehicle at risk.
“Petrol or diesel should not be stored in a plastic barrel or can because the hot heat trapped in the container can cause an explosion,” said Head of Segamat’s Fire and Rescue Station, Assistant Fire Superintendent, Muhd Hazim Abd Razak to Harian Metro.
Muhd Hazim also advised the public not to keep a petrol-filled container in a vehicle’s storage space as any collision from behind can cause a fire.
Mothball
Insecticides, such as mothballs may seem harmless to humans. But did you know that mothballs left in a car can also put your health at risk?
We would advise you against keeping poisonous materials in your car as they are easily volatile when exposed to heat, thus polluting the air in your vehicle.
Food and drinks
Do you make it a habit to leave a water bottle with unfinished water in your car and drink it after a few days?
Please discontinue it.
For your information, food and drinks left in a vehicle may no longer be safe for consumption when exposed to high heat. The temperature of your car can hit 70°C or even higher, spoiling food or drinks left in the car. The food or drinks may decompose and produce contaminants, which can endanger your health.
Check what is inside your car
Having read this article, perhaps, it is time to check what is inside your car?
Look into your car and remove the abovementioned and other flammable or dangerous items before leaving your vehicle.
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