As temperatures plunge across the region this week, safety officials are urging drivers to think twice before leaving everyday items inside their vehicles. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures can damage electronics, medications and household products and, in some cases, pose safety risks.
Consumer electronics including phones, laptops and tablets are especially vulnerable. Lithium-ion batteries can lose capacity, shut down or become permanently damaged when left in extreme cold.
Apple, for example, recommends ideal operating temperatures between 32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures near 20 degrees can cause the device to power off or the screen to crack more easily.
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Pharmacies also warn against leaving prescription drugs in a cold car. Many medications including insulin, thyroid medications and some antibiotics can lose potency if frozen.
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Household liquids, from makeup to cleaning sprays, often have water-based formulas that expand when frozen. That can cause containers to burst, leak or separate.
Aerosol cans such as deodorant, hairspray and tire inflators are particularly risky. While they are more likely to rupture in extreme heat, some formulations can still be damaged or lose pressure when frozen.
Bottled drinks left inside cars may not only freeze solid but can also shatter if the liquid expands.
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No pet should be left in a vehicle during freezing weather. Hypothermia can set in within minutes. That goes for people too during extreme temperatures.

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