Sunglasses spark car fire: Experts warn against leaving these items in vehicles

A seemingly ordinary pair of sunglasses caused a car fire in Nottinghamshire, UK, after being left on the dashboard. Firefighters intervened, but the incident highlights a significant risk associated with leaving certain items in vehicles, especially during hot weather.

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Sunlight passing through glass can act like a magnifying glass and in the worst case ignite materials like plastic, paper, or fabric.

Reflective objects, like sunglasses, can concentrate sunlight, acting as a magnifying glass. This concentrated light can ignite flammable materials such as plastic, paper, or fabric. The BBC reported on the incident in 2023, with fire services emphasizing the danger.

As Europe experiences its first heatwave, AccuWeather notes that parked car interiors can quickly exceed 100 degrees Celsius, even with windows open. This extreme heat not only creates an uncomfortable environment but can also damage or destroy items left inside. Aerosol cans, including sunscreen and insect repellent, are particularly hazardous due to rising internal pressure, increasing the risk of explosion.

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Reflective objects, such as glasses, must not be exposed to direct sunlight.

Medications, from common painkillers to essential items like insulin and EpiPens, can lose their efficacy or become unsafe. Sunscreen itself degrades, and both sunglasses and prescription glasses can warp or break. Food and drinks spoil rapidly, while canned beverages and plastic bottles, especially carbonated ones, risk swelling or bursting. Even water bottles can leach chemicals or harbor bacteria. Important documents can also be damaged by heat, causing paper to deform and ink to fade.

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Parts of a parked car can heat up very quickly to more than 100 degrees, even if the windows are open.