Drivers urged to take water out of cars before Sunday

Motorists are being advised to remove water from their cars, with parts of the UK set to bask in hot weather as temperatures hitting 25C this weekend.

The Met Office forecast that the temperature levels are expected to soar to sizzling 25C Sunday in London and nearby areas. The National Weather Agency estimated that the warmer conditions will begin to hit the country from tomorrow (Saturday) when the mercury could hit 23C. Whilst it is important to stay hydrated on long road trips, particularly with 25C heat expected, drivers should take care with where they put bottles of water and avoid leaving them in their car when unattended.

This is because the hot temperatures typically experienced inside cars that are parked in direct sunlight can cause chemicals to escape from the plastic bottle and into the water it is holding, making it dangerous to drink.

In more extreme heat, bottles of water that are visible from the window could magnify sunlight onto interior components such as the carpet or seats, creating the risk of a fire.

Another thing to take out of the car ahead of hot weather is sun cream. Much like water, plastic bottles containing suncream can become brittle and cause a buildup of pressure, which can ultimately lead to the suncream exploding onto the interior.

In many cases, exposure to high temperatures can also make the sun cream much less effective, meaning it will not protect users from the sun.

A wide range of popular medicines, including paracetamol and other forms of painkillers, can also become less effective after being left inside a hot car.

Whilst the tablets may still look normal, exposure to a hot climate can cause ingredients to act differently. Many medical experts suggest drivers should act on the side of caution and avoid taking medicines that have been left inside their car.

Many motorists avoid leaving expensive electronic devices in their car due to the risk of them being stolen, items that use a battery can also cause damage to the interior in sunny weather.

Whilst exposure to these temperatures can make devices less effective, losing charge at a much faster rate, they may catch fire in particularly hot weather.