Many firefighters in the country are urging people to avoid leaving water bottles in their vehicles, mainly during sunny day. Keeping water handy in a bottle seems harmless for drinking, but it may actually increase the risk of fire.
The risk that water bottles in cars may cause.
It is easy to think that the structure of a plastic water bottle makes it extremely safe from starting a fire. Firefighters and safety experts have realized that things like soap, air fresheners and laundry detergent can start a fire if the conditions are right. Sunlight, a clear plastic bottle and the interior space of a car are suitable for a fire to originate.
The Ways Water Bottles Can Create Fire Hazards
A filling of liquid makes the plastic water bottle act as a lens which can harm the eye. Sunlight coming through water in a bottle gathers at one place just as light is gathered by a magnifying glass. If light from the laser hits an easily flammable surface—for example, the upholstery, papers or plastics in a car—it has the power to start a fire.
Incidents that have happened to businesses in reality
Many cases of water bottles starting fires in cars have been reported. A truck driver from the company found his seat on fire in 2017 and the cause was his own bottled water that had been left on the seat. The bottle concentrated sunlight on the seat which resulted in the fabric getting heated and burning. Reports exist about other incidents where water bottles in a hot car caused fires or dangerously close fire hazards.
The science that explains how it takes place
A lens effect is the reason for the risk from a scientific point of view. A magnifying glass and a water-filled bottle are like; both can make sunlight intense enough to ignite leaves and the plastic interior of a car. Several things affect the amount of temperature increase, for example, the position of the bottle, how much sunlight falls on it and how much time it is exposed. Even so, if the weather is too hot, the temperatures might be high enough to start fires with flammable materials.
Safety At Home
Having plastic water bottles in your car may lead to fire, so experts advise against doing this. If you choose to have a water bottle in your vehicle, keep it in the trunk or somewhere it won’t be caught by the sunlight. Reusable bottles made from materials like stainless steel which aren’t clear, are a safer option for preventing fires. Take care that nothing in the car interior might catch fire from a strong, concentrated light.
What to Do if You Come Across Anything That Could Be a Fire Hazard
Should you notice a water bottle is in the car after being in the sun, quickly move it to a cool spot or get it out of the vehicle. Regularly look for objects in your car that might ignite. Should you notice your vehicle is on fire, exit the vehicle as quickly as possible and dial 911 before you try to put out the fire yourself.
Conclusion
Not leaving water bottles in the car might come as a surprise, but looking at what happens, both with science and real examples, makes the problem very obvious. Avoiding simple risks and being mindful of the danger lets you prevent small problems from becoming troublesome accidents. Prevent your water bottles from sitting directly in the sun and keep your car protected for you and those with you.