30/07/2024

18 Items You Should Never Keep in Your Glove Compartment

While your car’s glove compartment is certainly convenient, there are quite a few things you’d do better to leave out of it. Some of these include snacks that could turn into a gooey mess, and others are important gadgets that don’t do well in extreme temperatures. Here are 18 items that you shouldn’t leave in your glove compartment and why.

Important Documents

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You know that feeling when you can’t find your passport or social security card when you need it? That could happen if your car gets broken into. Although your glove box is a good place for your insurance card or vehicle registration, you shouldn’t put any other personal documents in there unless you want to deal with identity theft or fraud.

Electronics

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Keep your gadgets out of the glove compartment. Heat can mess up the battery and internal components, and then there’s also the risk of theft if someone sees them. You’re better off keeping those electronics with you or at least putting them somewhere a little cooler and out of sight if they’ve got to stay in the car.

Medications

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Try not to leave your meds in your car, as many of them need to stay at room temperature, and a hot car can mess that up quickly. This could cause some serious issues, especially when you need those medications the most. It’s always better to carry what you need for the day in a small pill case in your purse or pocket.

Spare House Keys

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Although hiding a house key in the glove compartment might seem smart, what if someone steals your car? Then they’ll have an all-access pass to your house, too, meaning it’s a safety risk that’s just not worth taking. You should leave that spare with someone you really trust, or maybe even choose a more secure location outside your home, like a well-hidden lockbox.

Flammable Items

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Lighters or anything pressurized can turn your glove compartment into a mini bomb if it gets too hot. These items can explode, which could start a fire, so you should keep those out of the car entirely. Do you really want to risk your life or someone else’s just because you left something in your car?

Chocolate or Snacks

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Chocolate bars and gummy bears don’t like heat, and they’ll end up being a sticky mess in your car. If you really need to carry them, perhaps you should eat them before they melt or at least pick snacks that withstand the heat better, like trail mix or protein bars. These ones won’t leave you with a gooey glove box.

Excessive Cash

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A few bucks for parking or tolls is useful, but keeping a whole wad of cash in your glove compartment is a huge mistake. You should keep most of your cash in your wallet or, better yet, a bank. If you’re traveling and need more cash, you may want to use a hidden money belt or a less obvious place in your vehicle.

Sunglasses

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Even though sunglasses seem like they’re made for cars, the glove box isn’t the best place for them. Heat can warp the frames or even melt the plastic, so you should keep them on your head or in a case that’s not in direct sunlight. Try putting them in the center console or the door pocket compartment because they’re less likely to be affected by heat.

Perfumes or Colognes

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Keeping perfumes or colognes in your car can make your expensive scent unpleasant. You should leave them at home or take them to work. Leaving them in your glovebox could cause the bottle to leak or break, so you’ll have to deal with a messy, scent-soaked vehicle. Even worse, the heat can make them expire.

Batteries

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Batteries and high heat don’t mix because they can leak acid or even explode if they get too hot. You’re better off keeping them somewhere cool and dry where they can’t cause any trouble or carrying them on you in a small battery case. Don’t risk it by leaving them in the car, as you never know what might happen.

Personal Letters or Photos

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Of course, the heat won’t necessarily cause your personal letters or photos to burn up, but it can make those precious memories fade and get damaged. You’re better off leaving them at home or at least making a copy of them and taking that around with you. You could also digitize them so you’ve always got them without the risk of physical damage.

Hand Sanitizer

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Most people don’t realize it, but hand sanitizer can catch fire. Since it contains so much alcohol, leaving your sanitizer in a hot car can easily cause problems. Instead, keep it in your purse or backpack. That way, you’ll have it handy when you need it, and you won’t risk turning your vehicle into a mini fire hazard.

Lotions or Creams

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Lotion explosions are definitely not pretty, as the heat can cause your favorite creams to separate or spoil. Unless you want to deal with that gloopy mess, you should stick to carrying a small amount on you if you need it. Plus, holding onto them means you can apply a little refresh whenever you need to instead.

Business Cards

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Heat can easily warp a business card, which won’t make the best first impression. Keep your networking equipment cool and crisp somewhere other than your glove compartment by putting it in a business card holder in your bag or jacket pocket. Doing so will allow you to make a professional impression, no matter where you are.

Plastic Water Bottles

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A hot car and plastic water bottle are a recipe for disaster because they can leach chemicals. Instead, you should bring a drink along from home in a safer container made of stainless steel. You could even get an insulated bottle because it’ll keep your drinks cool longer and can withstand the heat far better.

Flashlights

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A flashlight is great in an emergency, but not if it’s dead. This can happen if you leave it in the glove compartment because heat damages batteries. You should store it in a cooler part of the car, like the trunk, along with other essentials in a secure emergency kit so it’s always ready and in good condition. Make sure you check it regularly, too.

Sharp Objects

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Leaving sharp objects like knives or tools in your glove box can cause serious problems if there’s an accident. If you must carry these, ensure you’ve fastened them securely and out of the way by putting them in a toolbox. Keep them in the trunk so they’re easily accessible yet safely stored away from the driver and passengers.

Delicate Jewelry

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Leaving precious jewelry in a hot car is a recipe for disaster because heat can damage delicate metals and stones. Let’s not forget the theft risk if someone knows they’re there or steals your car, which happens way more often than you might think. Instead of leaving them in the car, you should leave them at home or carry them around with you.