WARNING: Hand sanitizer may explode when left in a hot car

The WLFD, based in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, issued a statement on Facebook early yesterday morning, showing what alcohol-based hand sanitizer can do if it is left in extremely hot conditions.

People are encouraged to not only keep hand sanitizer away from extreme conditions, but to refrain from smoking near hand sanitizer, as it is flammable.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) published a report on the specifics, covering the bases of how vehicles catch on fire.

They also released a video, elucidating the dangers of leaving hand sanitizer in a vehicle under high temperatures and how to keep yourself and others safe.

What leads to the danger is that alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which is the kind that is recommended to kill the coronavirus, can swell within the plastic bottle, ignite, and could even explode.

Authorities have also encouraged people to keep these hand sanitizers away from an open flame as it can pose a fire risk.

The plastic particles of the bottle can melt into the liquid, which can possibly compromise health.