As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world, people started stocking up on toilet paper and hand sanitizers. These two items quickly flew off the shelves. Both are important, but a lot of people have been carrying hand sanitizers with them wherever they went. It is, after all, effective in protecting against the coronavirus.

Disinfecting surfaces

Hand sanitizers are great for disinfecting our hands. It’s not very seldom that people also use them to wipe down steering wheels, door handles, credit cards, etc. It is for this very reason that people always have some on hand. There is probably at least one sanitizer and face mask in every vehicle these days.

Heeding a dire warning

Hand sanitizers are indeed very important. But temperatures are already beginning to soar high in various parts of the country, and it could potentially cause serious injury and destruction to property.

Fire officials give a warning

Western Lakes Fire department, as well as with many other fire departments throughout the nation, advise against leaving hand sanitizers in vehicles on a warm day. They warn that hand sanitizers inside hot vehicles, or even just warm ones, may cause a fire.

Imagine going out for some groceries only to walk outside to find your vehicle engulfed in flames. Or at least sustain some major damage inside.

How can that be possible?

There is this thing called “flashpoint.” It’s the temperature that is required for certain flammable substances to ignite. The most common flammable substances include alcoholic beverages and yes, hand sanitizers. They all have their distinct flashpoints, hand sanitizers in particular rank a “fairly low temperature.”

What is in a hand sanitizer?

Some brands of hand sanitizers only have 62 percent alcohol, but a lot of brands have as high as 70 percent. It’s is the exact same reason why it is as effective in killing these germs and viruses. Here is the scary part. The flashpoint for these hand sanitizers is only 69.8-degrees Fahrenheit.

Closed vehicles heat up quickly

You might be out on a regular day when the outside temperature is only 72-degrees Fahrenheit. It feels wonderful, not too cool and not too hot. On a day such as this, the temperature inside of a vehicle can rise up to roughly 40 degrees within just one hour.

What does that mean?

You leave your hand sanitizer in your car and you are gone for an hour. On a day when it is 72 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the temperature inside your vehicle can go up to as high as 112 degrees during the time you are away. Remember, the flashpoint for hand sanitizers is only 69.8 degrees Fahrenheit. There lies the risk. This is why the National Fire Protection Association has established a code for this very product.

Risky areas

Leaving your car out in direct sunlight increases your risk substantially. Placing your hand sanitizer inside a center console, side door, or glove compartment will allow it to reach its flashpoint even much faster.

The most dangerous place

Practically no place is safe inside your vehicle. But leaving it out on your dashboard will allow it to ignite even quicker. Hand sanitizers should never be left out in direct sunlight. It’s like setting a butane lighter on fire. Just remember, if you are going to carry hand sanitizer with you, make sure to keep it in your purse or a pants pocket.

Stay safe

The coronavirus has required us to take extra steps in protecting ourselves. We have been employing several measures such as keeping a safe distance from other people, not going near people with symptoms or anyone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19, and using hand sanitizers often. We just need to be extra careful with hand sanitizers so we can prevent fires.

A great PSA

Thanks to fire departments everywhere, people who use hand sanitizers are learning about this second risk. If you have questions, you can contact your local fire station or watch videos like the one we’ve provided. Remember, not only is hand sanitizer potentially dangerous when left in a vehicle but also when near an open flame such as grilling.

With good education, we can all stay safe during this challenging time. Take a moment to learn all you can and then pass the information on to family members and friends by watching the video below.

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Source: Little Things, YouTube