Remove item from car before Friday alert as drivers told to act

Remove item from car before Friday alert as drivers told to act With temperatures forecast to reach 30C by Friday, experts are warning drivers to clear items from their cars Households are being urged to clear everyday items from their parked cars as temperatures are set to soar to 30C over the next few days. Vehicles left closed can heat up at an alarming rate, exposing anything left inside to potentially damaging conditions. According to the latest Met Office UK forecast, temperatures are expected to rise steadily, with parts of southern England approaching 30C by Friday, depending on cloud cover, and becoming widely warm throughout the weekend. Heatwave criteria are likely to be met in some areas of the south and southeast of England by Saturday, and more broadly on Sunday, with the mercury potentially climbing into the low 30s in the hottest spots. The forecast states: "Headline maximum temperatures for the period are: 32C on Friday in East Anglia, 28C on Saturday as the warmest air temporarily shifts away from the UK, 32C in the south and southeast of England on Sunday and the potential for 33C in the same areas on Monday as warm conditions build again from the south." Everyday items commonly left in door pockets, boots, and glove compartments include medicines, aerosols, fizzy drinks, mobile phones, and battery-powered devices. A number of these items can deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures for prolonged periods, with medication being a particular concern. Official guidance for hot weather warns that small, enclosed spaces, such as parked cars, can heat up rapidly. It also advises that babies, children, elderly people, and pets should never be left alone in cars or other confined spaces, reports the Express. A Yellow Heat-Health Alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), indicating that rising temperatures could have an impact on the health and well-being of certain people. This covers the East Midlands, East of England, London and the southeast of England from Wednesday, June 17, and remains in place until Monday, June 22. Heat-health alerts are typically issued in the UK between June and September, when soaring temperatures could pose a risk to public health. Motor retail group Dick Lovett has put together a checklist for households to help them remove items from their vehicles ahead of a heatwave. Why is it important to take medication out of a hot car? Knowing how heat affects medication is vital for your well-being. If medicines become too warm, they may lose their effectiveness, which could prove extremely dangerous. Always store them in a cool location to ensure they remain potent — most require storage below 25C, or in a fridge. A statement on the motoring group's website reads: "If they aren't stored at the right temperature, medicine can lose its effectiveness, break down chemically, and even become dangerous. EpiPens, for example, can misfire or fail to deliver a full dose if exposed to heat. As such, always carry your medications with you, ideally in a small insulated pouch, and never leave them in a parked car." What should you avoid leaving in your car during hot weather? Aerosols such as deodorants, hairspray and other spray products should be kept out of vehicles, as pressure can build rapidly in high temperatures. Gadgets like mobile phones and power banks that rely on lithium-ion batteries pose a risk in extreme heat, potentially damaging the batteries and increasing the likelihood of fire should a battery malfunction. Vape kits and e-liquids must be kept away from heat and direct sunlight, as both rechargeable batteries and liquids can be adversely affected by soaring temperatures. Fizzy drinks can also cause issues, as the heat may cause contents to expand, resulting in cans or bottles bursting or spraying when opened. Suncream is equally vulnerable to heat; lengthy exposure can alter its composition and cause leaks, meaning users may not receive the level of protection they require. When doing the food shopping, particularly for chilled or perishable goods, bear in mind that a hot car can rapidly bring food to unsafe temperatures.