Water may be essential to life, but as heatwaves hit the country, seemingly harmless bottles could pose a major safety risk.
Leaving a plain water bottle stored in a clear container can be a recipe for disaster if the sun hits it in the right spot, warned Midwest City Fire Department Administrative Commander David Richardson.
Just like a magnifying glass can make a hole in things, so can clear plastic water bottles.
“The chances are pretty small, but they’re not impossible,” said Richardson, who tested the method. ABC News.
The water bottle can heat nearby objects and potentially cause a fire.
Leaving a bottle of plain water in a clear container can be a recipe for disaster if the sun hits it in just the right spot. Just like a magnifying glass can burn a hole in things, so can clear plastic water bottles.
David Richardson, chief administrative officer for the Midwest City Fire Department, tested this method in 2017, when he used a piece of paper with a black rectangle printed on it and a regular water bottle and let the sun shine on it on an 83-degree day.
Richardson tested this method in 2017, when he used a piece of paper with a black rectangle printed on it and an ordinary water bottle and let the sun’s rays fall on it on an 83-degree day.
When the ray of light falls on the paper, smoke begins to form and a small hole passes through it.
“A bottle of water can certainly start a fire,” he said in the video.
There are certain factors that must be present for the water bottle to become a fire hazard, such as car windows not being able to be tinted and the water bottle having to be full to give it a magnifying effect.
“So keep in mind that all the factors have to be present for this to really work,” he said.
When the beam of light hits the paper, smoke begins to form and a small hole passes through it. “So, effectively, a bottle of water can start a fire,” he said.
Certain factors must be present for the water bottle to become a fire hazard, such as car windows not being able to be tinted and the water bottle must be full to give it a magnifying effect.
Another warning to keep in mind this summer is to avoid drinking water from bottles that have been exposed to the sun for a long time.
Dr. Stephanie Widmer told ABC News that the chemical composition of the bottle can change with heat and the water could become contaminated with dangerous toxins.
Other things that pose a danger inside cars during the summer are lithium batteries, such as those found in e-cigarettes and electric scooters.
The plastic casing may melt and expose the battery to direct sunlight, which could cause an explosion.
Lithium batteries, especially in electric scooters, have proven to be quite a hazard, with thousands of them exploding every year due to overheating.
Recently, Southwest Airlines reported that soda cans exploded after being loaded onto a flight due to the heat wave hitting the United States right now. Entire cases were torn open on several flights that took off from Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Other items you should avoid leaving in your car due to the risk of explosion include: aerosol cans, canned or bottled soft drinks, and lighters.
Items that could be spoiled by the sun include sunscreen, medications, and alcohol; and items such as glasses and sunglasses could warp if left in direct sunlight.
Recently, Southwest Airlines reported that soda cans exploded after being loaded onto a flight due to the heat wave currently affecting the United States.
Entire cases were opened on several flights that took off from Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada, where temperatures reached scorching triple-digit numbers.
At least 20 flight attendants were injured, including one who required stitches.
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