Firefighters warn public on the hazards of leaving water bottles in vehicles

The hot weather and high temperatures can have a range of effects on people’s everyday life. It is widely known that prolonged exposure to heat can lead to heatstroke, which is why it is recommended to avoid being under direct sunlight for longer periods of time. At the same time, it is essential to stay hydrated and limit strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day.

This weather can also significantly increase the risk of fires.

Dry heat, strong winds, and low humidity represent ideal conditions for a fire to start. One way of accidentally starting a fire is by leaving water bottles inside a vehicle during high heat. The reason why is that the bottles, especially if they are translucent, can act as magnifying lenses if exposed to high temperatures, focusing sunlight and creating concentrated beams of light.

When light enters a clear or translucent bottle, it can be focused and intensified into a concentrated heat spot. This concentrated heat can build up on nearby flammable materials, like paper or fabric, and potentially ignite them, leading to a fire withing minutes.

This is why firefighters urge people not to leave water bottles inside their vehicle.

In July 2017, Dioni Amuchastegui, a battery technician with Idaho Power, noticed smoke emerging from beneath the center console of his truck during his lunch break.

“At first I thought it was dust, but the window was rolled up so there was no wind,” he shared with Today. “Then I noticed that light was being refracted through a water bottle and it was actually smoke.”

Amuchastegui was quick to get rid of the bottle and prevent fire from starting.

He told his story to his colleagues at Idaho Power and they came up with the idea of filming a video and warning people of the potential dangers of a simple act of leaving a water bottle inside the car when the temperatures are high.