Covid-19: Is it safe to leave hand sanitizers in the car?

Team Udayavani, Jul 11, 2020, 5:03 PM IST

Amid the Covid-19 scare, health experts and government urge everyone to wear face masks and frequently wash hand with soap or a sanitizer. Most of us prefer sanitizers as it is easier than washing hands with soap and water and also carry it wherever we go in our bag or vehicle.

But is it safe to keep sanitizers in the car?

Hand sanitizers are made of potent chemical portions and chances are, a high-grade, germ-killing sanitizer solution will contain a good concentrate of alcohol in it. Although this is good to prevent virus spread, the alcohol content in the sanitizer can be flammable

Temperatures inside a vehicle such as a car can quickly become scorching, especially if it has been parked in direct sunlight and warm temperatures can cause the alcohol in the sanitizer to evaporate.

Warm hand sanitizer can irritate the skin and could also damage your car, if it leaks. Also most of the sanitizers are stored in plastic bottles which add to the risk.

Experts  claim that Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are classified as Class I Flammable Liquid substances, which means they have a flash point of less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and should be stored away from all heat and ignition sources,