Did you know that leaving a seemingly harmless bottle of water in the car could start a fire? That’s right. The Audacy platform has published a video in which David Richardson, spokesman for the Midwest City Fire Department of Oklahoma, explains the process of optical physics that occurs and can lead to fatal outcomes.
Through the sun’s rays and the heat of summer, it can reflect and act as a magnifying glass, causing a fire. That is why it is recommended to take out of the vehicle any bottle, full or empty, and in case of leaving it, to keep it in the glove compartment or in the corresponding coasters that protect the content from the sun. It looks like we are going to have to be very careful with bottles this summer!
Cars as storage
Many of us, including myself, have more than once left bottles or bags in our car, a jacket, a book, a pair of glasses… Oversights or not that turn our vehicles into second closets or warehouses. However, this practice can pose a serious risk to us and the integrity of our car. On the one hand, leaving any object in sight increases the chances of being stolen. Whatever the object, if left in plain sight, it can become a temptation for thieves. On the other hand, in the case of bottles, we could even lose our vehicle.
How dangerous is a bottle of water in a car?
The first time I heard that leaving a bottle of water in the car could even cause a fire, I burst out laughing. It seemed incredibly exaggerated and disproportionate. How can it be such a big risk? Well, the truth is yes. The explanation can be found on the video platform Audacy, where David Richardson, the officer and spokesman for the Midwest City, Oklahoma Fire Department, explains how.
Apparently, a transparent bottle, full or empty, when heated and receiving the sun’s rays, acts as a magnifying glass concentrating the full force of the rays. This would cause the resulting ray to strike adjacent surfaces, generating temperatures of more than 400ºC. Not only does he explain the theory, but he also does a live experiment with a bottle of water and a black paper.
It’s a matter of physics
As with water bottles, the sun’s rays can still do their thing inside our vehicles. These can enter through the windshield or windows, hitting the bottle and reflecting them onto any surface; upholstery, dashboard, etc. This can cause burns and even a fire. Many people reacted the same way I did, but the truth is that it is something that has gone viral on social networks, with people posting videos of the event.
How can it be prevented?
To avoid this type of scares, the most logical thing to do is to take out the water bottles when we get out of the car. If we cannot or do not want to do it, we can leave it in the car, as long as we make sure that it is protected. In the glove compartment or in the usual object holders in the car, we must make sure that the sun does not hit it, neither directly nor indirectly.
Another perfect idea for this hot season, is to carry a cooler in the fridge, where we can keep water, soft drinks or juices, available and cool to drink as long as we are not driving and do not pose a distraction. Which of these solutions suits you best?