Why Aerosol Cans Shouldn't Be Left in Your Car
by Randy Devaul
Hair
spray, lubricants, flat tire repair, window cleaners, and other aerosols are often
kept in vehicles year round. Some are kept in car trunks or in metal tool boxes
in the back of vans and trucks.
These
pressurized containers are often temperature sensitive and classified as either
flammable or combustible. Yet they are so commonly used, we forget the hazards
that are associated with them.
For
example, most aerosols state on the label of the container to not store them in
temperatures greater than 120 degrees F. During summer months in most places around
the United States, outside air temperatures will exceed 90 degrees F while the
temperatures inside a vehicle or a toolbox on a vehicle can exceed 130 degrees
F. Without additional ventilation or temperature relief, these containers can
become explosive.
For example,
these photographs show damage to a car's rear window after an aerosol can of deodorant
exploded in a parked vehicle. The outside temperature was about 100 degrees F
and the can was in the back window in direct sunlight. Had anyone been in the
vehicle at the time of the incident, personal injury from flying glass could have
been serious.
Think what
could happen if your child's carseat was located next to this can. When aerosol
cans become over-pressurized, they can release the excess pressure through the
nozzle and become uncontrolled flying missiles. Cans have actually penetrated
and gone through seat cushions!
Don't
store aerosol cans in places where there is no ventilation or where the temperatures
cannot be controlled. You or your child can be seriously injured or killed if
riding in close proximity to these materials when they blow. Look inside and in
the back of your vehicle and remove these hazards by storing aerosols in proper
locations. It could save your life!
Randy
DeVaul is a safety professional, freelance writer, and author. Contact with comments
at randyd@richmond.com. |