Do Not Leave These Items in Your Car During Yakima Valley’s Freezing Weather

Snow in the Yakima Valley has finally reared its little head! Don't learn the hard way what NOT to leave in your car when temps hit below freezing!

Freezing temps are officially here, so don't leave these items in your car, or else you'll quickly find out that you shouldn't have!

First Things First

Before we get to what not to leave in your car when it freezes, let's talk about safety first.

#1: Do not leave your kids or pets in a freezing car! It is against the law for one (negligence), and it's inhumane and cruel, number two!

#2: You should be making plans on how to safely get out of your driveway or carport in the snow and icy road conditions. You also might want to head to the hardware store NOW to get some ice melting salt, like this one I found in Yakima at Hometown Ace Hardware (401 S 40th Ave) or Jose's Hardware in Wapato (408 W 1st St).

Read More: Yakima Valley Snow Prep Checklist - Everything You Need to Know

Things You Shouldn't Leave in Your Car During a Weather Freeze

I've learned some of this the hard way, so learn from my mistakes. Some of the other items are just common sense!

#1: Leftover Cups of Sprite from Taco Bell

Don't leave any sodas or energy drinks in your car, just throw it away if you don't finish it. It will freeze up, plus drive-thru drinks always end up tasting disgusting after a couple of hours anyway!

The only acceptable drink to leave in your car during a freeze is of course a MTN DEW® Baja Blast® Freeze from Taco Bell, ha!

#2: Random Bottled Water Bottles

This one is a no-brainer. Water + Freezing Temps=FROZEN. (Cue Elsa and Olaf!_

#3: Baby Formula

Who knew! Now you do!

#4: Nail Polish

You might think that this is an odd thing for someone to leave in a car, but have you ever been running late and thought to yourself that you can finish painting your toes and nails when you arrive at your destination? Exactly!

#5: Cigarette Lighters

They will stop working if they get too cold. This goes for those long-stemmed lighters you use to light fires. Keep them in warm temps.

#6: Wet Wipes

This one is news to me, but if you think about it, what is making them wet? WATER.

#7: Musical Instruments

Guitars, violins, harps, banjos, any stringed instruments especially should never be left in a freezing car. They could get damaged by the temperature drop!

#8: Takeout Food or Groceries

Yah, don't leave leftover food in the car!

#9: Batteries

Batteries are like me; we both hate cold weather!