The risk for accidents tends to rise during the scorching heat in the UAE. While drivers’ negligence or busted tyres are often the main issue for vehicles, other hazards can also lead to deadly incidents like fire accidents. Many of these fires are caused by overlooking safety and preventive measures.
Here are 10 common items that are highly susceptible to catching fire if left in a car during the hot summer months:
1. Lighters: Obviously! They contain flammable liquid and can explode if exposed to high heat.
2. Aerosol Cans: Products like deodorants, air fresheners, and hairsprays are highly pressurized and can burst or even explode under intense heat.
3. Batteries and Electronics: Items powered by batteries, especially Lithium batteries can overheat and potentially ignite if left in a hot car.
4. Plastic Bottles: When left in direct sunlight, plastic water bottles can act as magnifying glasses, focusing sunlight and potentially igniting flammable materials inside the car.
5. Sunglasses: Similarly, if left on the dashboard, they can concentrate sunlight onto a small area, which might start a fire on surfaces like paper or fabric.
6. Hand Sanitizers: Many hand sanitizers contain alcohol, which can become highly flammable at high temperatures, posing a fire risk.
7. Disposable Vape Pens: Similar to other battery-operated devices, disposable vapes can overheat and pose a fire hazard if left in high temperatures for too long.
8. Essential Oils: Bottles of essential oils can degrade or become a fire hazard if they leak and come into contact with heat.
9. Perfumes: Perfumes contain sufficient amounts of alcohol, which is highly volatile and flammable. When left in a hot car or exposed directly to the sun in the vehicle for a long time, they can explode! Just like aerosols, except here there’ll be more fuel to the fire, due to the alcohol content.
10. Jerry cans: This one is especially for the long journey drivers, portable Jerry cans containing petrol, can build up pressure in the heat, leading to serious explosions in extreme heat and pressure
