Five Items You Do Not Need to Leave in Your Vehicle in Texas

When you live in the heart of West Texas, you learn fast, that your vehicle can turn into an oven in just a matter of minutes. I learned the hard way when I realized my radio station truck had become a rolling storage unit for plastic water bottles. A dear friend of mine, who happens to be a doctor, warned me never to drink those bottles after they’d sat in high heat. He explained that heat can change the chemistry of the plastic, potentially leaching harmful substances into the water.

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I didn’t even ask for the scientific breakdown; I just knew I wasn’t risking it. Now I keep those bottles only in case I need to refill the radiator. But it made me think: 'there are plenty of other things we should never leave in a hot Texas car, and here they are.'

Beware: 5 Things Texans Should Never Leave in a Hot Car

1. Kids and Pets, Not Even for a Minute
2. Plastic Water Bottles  
3. Electronics and Batteries
4. Medications 
5. Aerosol Cans and Flammable Items

Science Sidebar: Why Heat + Plastic Bottles = Bad News

When plastic bottles are exposed to high heat, they can release chemicals like antimony and BPA (or similar compounds in BPA-free bottles). While the risk level is debated, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends avoiding storing bottled water in hot conditions for long periods.

Read More: Is Fort Concho in Texas Haunted? The Truth About Ghost Sightings

Bottom line: Texas heat isn’t just uncomfortable, it can turn everyday items into health hazards, safety risks and/or dangerous chemicals. Take a minute to check your back seat, door pockets and in the trunk before locking up your vehicle.