Items You Should Not Keep in Your Car This Winter
No matter if your car is left exposed to the elements or if it is nestled in a garage at night, it feels the impact of winter. That’s also true for whatever you leave behind in the cabin or trunk. To help keep your valuables or personal items safe from Old Man Winter, make sure you remember to remove these items from your car.
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Bottled or canned beverages
The change in temperature outside can negatively impact the quality of bottled or canned beverages in your cabin. Besides possibly affecting the taste, as the drinks freeze they can explode out of their containers and make a mess.
Mobile devices
Chances are you won’t leave your cell phone or smartphone behind, but just in case you need a reason to keep it out of your cold car — low temperatures will zap your phone’s battery.
Personal papers
Paperwork that boasts personal identifying information should never be left in your car no matter the season. That includes your passport and driver’s license.
“If you have important documents, such as tax forms, bank statements, or mail you need to shred, make it a priority and don’t leave them in your car. The potential exposure of your important personal information makes you vulnerable to identity theft,” warns Family Handyman writer Rachel Brougham.
Musical instruments
This may be more of a reminder for your kids, but leaving a musical instrument in the car during winter can be a costly mistake. Musical instruments are somewhat delicate, and cold temperatures can damage them.
Medicine
Many medications have specific storage instructions, and some may be affected by cold temperatures.
“If you visit a pharmacy in the winter months, don’t leave your medications in the car. If you’re not going right home, carry them in a purse, backpack, or pocket,” according to Brougham.
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Even if you’re in a rush to get out of the cold and into your office or house, look around the cabin before you exit to see that you’re not forgetting to grab these items.
DeAnn Owens is a Dayton transplant by way of the Windy City, yet considers herself to be a California girl at heart even though she’s only visited there once. To get through the dreaded allergy season unique to the Miami Valley, she reads, writes, complains about the weather, and enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, and their newest addition, a Boston terrier puppy that is now in charge of all their lives. In the future, she hopes to write a novel and travel through time. See more articles by DeAnn.