# Don't Leave These 7 Items in Your Hot Car
Summer heat transforms parked vehicles into ovens fast enough to damage goods and create safety hazards. Jalopnik compiled a list of everyday objects that deteriorate or become dangerous when left in extreme cabin temperatures.
Electronics top the risk list. Smartphones, tablets, and laptops suffer battery degradation and screen damage above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Lithium-ion batteries lose permanent capacity when exposed to sustained heat. Chargers and power banks face similar problems, with internal components failing after repeated thermal stress.
Medications require climate control. Insulin, aspirin, and prescription drugs lose potency or become toxic when heated. Sunglasses and eyeglasses warp when heat softens plastic frames and lens coatings. Contact solution degrades, potentially causing eye infections if used afterward.
Plastic bottles and food containers leach chemicals. BPA and other compounds migrate into beverages and snacks when ambient temperatures spike, posing health risks. Chocolate, candy, and other confections simply melt into unusable messes.
Crayons, makeup, and cosmetics deform at low temperatures. Lipstick, foundation, and pencil eyeliner become greasy sludge. Nail polish thickens and separates. CDs and vinyl records warp, making them unplayable.
Pet safety dominates the conversation around heat exposure. A car's interior reaches lethal temperatures within minutes, even with windows cracked. Leaving animals unattended, even briefly, risks heatstroke and death.
Aerosol cans present explosion hazards. Pressure builds inside sealed containers as temperatures climb, risking ruptures that damage interiors and create projectiles.
Drivers should grab items before parking or use dash shades and window tints to reduce interior temperature gain.