These days, people practically live in their cars. Even with more people working from home, they pile into the car daily to go to the grocery store or post office, and some shuttle their kids to school, sports practice, and play dates. Of course, people pack everything they think they might need: snacks, drinks, electronic devices — anything they think they can’t live without. That might be fine when the weather is warm, but when winter hits, your car is the last place you want to leave some belongings. That’s because winter temperatures mean more than cold seats and an icy steering wheel — frigid temperatures can cause major damage to a variety of items if they’re left in the car. Here are just a few that should be left at home.
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| Many medications require refrigeration, so it’s tempting to think it’s no big deal to leave pills in the car, but pharmacists warn against this practice. Cold temperatures can actually change the chemical structure of many medications. Liquid and injectable medications can freeze, causing separation of the inert ingredients, and cold temperatures can cause vials or pens to crack. Tables and capsules can become brittle and crumble or split, and inhalers and nebulizers can clog, rendering them useless. |
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| Cold temperatures are hard on electronics, particularly those powered by lithium-ion batteries, which lose capacity at low temperatures. When electronics are brought inside, condensation can form and allow moisture to affect components on some devices. |
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| You might think it’s okay to keep a can of de-icer, WD-40 or Fix-A-Flat in your trunk during the winter, but don’t count on it working when you need it. That’s because aerosol cans are pressurized, and when they are subjected to cold temperatures can leak, malfunction or even rupture. |
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| While leaving your grocery haul in the car for a few hours this winter may seem like no big deal, it’s not worth the risk. The interior of your car is different than your refrigerator, and perishable foods can easily go up above a safe temperature for food storage. Canned foods aren’t safe either. When the liquid inside a can freezes, it expands, and most packaging isn’t designed to handle that kind of pressure. Once a seal is compromised, the risk of foodborne illness rises quickly. Shelf-stable dry items like protein bars or crackers are far safer than liquids, but anything with moisture inside doesn’t belong in your car in the winter. |
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| Practically everything is made from plastic nowadays, but unfortunately, plastic can be incredibly brittle when it freezes. As liquids expand, containers can crack, split or warp, leading to leaks that you might not notice until everything thaws. Some plastics also become brittle in cold temperatures and may shatter when handled, leaving you with the mess of what was in the container plus shards of microplastics in your car. Even things like antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid can be affected, so keep those items in the house. |
