If you haven’t already, pluck the water bottle from your cupholder and stash your sunglasses inside your house.
Similar to being mindful of extreme heat on sweltering summer days, certain items should not be left in your vehicle when temperatures regularly dip below freezing.
Here’s a look at what to avoid keeping in the car when extreme New York wintry weather sets in:
Electronics
Leaving your cellphone or tablet in the car during freezing temperatures can cause several issues including damage to the lithium ion batteries inside, which are highly sensitive to extreme cold, USA TODAY reports. It is the “battery, battery, battery,” that is most vulnerable to the elements, Roger Gurney, owner of Arctic Tech Solutions in Fairbanks, Alaska, told USA TODAY.
Apple recommends operating iOS devices where the temperature is between 32 and 95 degrees, but says it’s fine to store the device at much colder temps — all the way down to minus 4 degrees. At those lower temperatures you’ll want to shut the phone off. Samsung cites a similar operating range for its phones.
If your device gets too cold, certain features may be temporarily disabled, according to Apple.
Soda, beer, canned liquids
Leaving unopened soda, seltzer or beer cans in your car when the mercury dips below freezing can lead to a messy and potentially hazardous situation. Water-based liquids expand when they freeze, which can cause the cans to burst or explode.
The freezing points of these beverages vary slightly, according to NJ.com:
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Regular soda (with sugar): Freezes at approximately 30 degrees.
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Diet pop and water: Freezes at 32 degrees.
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Beer (5% alcohol by volume): Freezes around 27 degrees.
Musical instruments
Musical instruments can be pricey to replace, so leaving you child’s wooden clarinet in the back seat during a snowstorm is a bad idea. Because of the sensitivity of materials like wood and metal to temperature changes, the cold, dry air can lead to cracks and warping on your instrument. According to Yamaha MusicUSA, woodwind and string instruments are at high risk for cracking when they absorb water and contract.
Brass instruments can also freeze, leading to stuck valves and tuning slides.
If an instrument is left in a freezing car for a long period, try to make it warm up gradually.
Glasses
Leaving eyeglasses in a cold car can cause the lenses to crack or become brittle, according to Web Eye Care. Exposure to the extreme temperatures can also warp plastic frames, potentially damaging how your eyes align with the lenses in your glasses.
Eggs
Leaving eggs in your car is poor choice in any weather condition. As the inside of the egg freezes and expands, the eggshell can crack and ultimately, make a mess once the eggs thaw. If your frozen eggs crack, toss them. Keep the uncracked ones frozen until needed and thaw in the fridge before use, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. According to Food and Wine, you can safely freeze whole eggs by beating them until blended and pouring them into tightly-sealed freezer containers for future use.
Canned foods
When canned food freezes, it allows the water to freeze and expand in a similar way to beer and soda. This can result in a broken seal or a swollen can, causing spoilage, according to the USDA. If canned food freezes, allow it to thaw in a refrigerator before prompt use. Once thawed, if the food doesn’t smell or look normal, throw it out. For more information on canned food safety, go to the USDA website
Medication
Medicine is another item that should not be frozen. According to Reuters, leaving your pills in the extreme cold (or heat) can significantly alter the effectiveness of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Freezing can also alter the physical properties of medications, leading to inconsistent dosing and reduced efficacy.
Loved ones
Yes, this one is obvious but worth the reminder. Children and elderly people can be more susceptible to hypothermia at cold temperatures, with symptoms such as shivering, confusion and exhaustion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So even brief stretches in an unheated vehicle could be dangerous to humans and pets.
One last reminder
Keeping your car’s gas tank at least half full during the cold winter months is important for several reasons. First, it can help minimize condensation that could potentially block fuel lines and prevent the engine from starting or running properly. It’s also important in case you find yourself in an unexpected delay or weather emergency that requires extended use of the car’s heater to stay warm.
Contributing: USA Today network
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Things you should never leave in your car during freezing weather
