Victoria’s peak motoring body has published a list of five times that motorists should not keep in their cars.
They include some electronic devices, medicines, aerosol cans, sunscreen and glasses.
RACV General Manager Motoring Products Jeff Ames said motorists needed to be mindful of what they stored in their cars, particularly in hot weather.
The following list was provided as a guide.
- Electronic devices: Smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets with lithium-ion batteries can overheat, potentially leading to fire hazards.
- Medicine: Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can become less effective or inactive when exposed to extreme temperatures in parked cars.
- Aerosol cans: Deodorants, air fresheners, and other spray cans may explode under pressure in hot vehicles.
- Sunscreen: Heat can break down the active ingredients in sunscreen, rendering it ineffective for sun protection.
- Glasses and sunglasses: Frames can warp in high temperatures, and lenses left on dashboards may create fire hazards.
Victorian Crime Statistics Agency data also showed a 16 percent increase in thefts from motor vehicles, with 53,329 reported cases in Victoria for the year ending June 2024, up from 45,984 in the previous year.
“This significant rise in vehicle break-ins is concerning and we strongly advise drivers to remove all valuables and always lock their vehicles to prevent opportunistic theft,” Mr Ames said.
RACV also emphasised the importance of maintaining a well-stocked car safety emergency kits.
