Six items not leave in your car during extremely cold conditions

Aside from accumulating snow, single-digit night time lows are forecast for this weekend

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- In extremely cold weather, several items should not be left in your vehicle. Cellphones and tablets contain lithium‑ion batteries that are sensitive to extreme cold, which can temporarily disable device functions. Unopened soda cans may freeze and burst. Wooden or metal musical instruments can warp or crack, and brass instruments may develop frozen valves or slides. Eyeglass lenses can also become brittle or cracked.

Medications should not be stored in a cold car, as low temperatures can reduce their effectiveness or alter their physical properties. Keeping your gas tank at least half full helps prevent condensation that can block fuel lines and ensures you have enough fuel for heat during delays or emergencies.

Pets run the risk of hypothermia when left in a vehicle in winter time. Cash and credit cards can be stolen. Perishable food items are also a no-no when it comes to the extreme cold.

Certain items, however, are useful to keep in your car during winter. These include pet‑friendly deicer, kitty litter for traction, spray windshield deicer, and a snow brush with an ice scraper. For emergencies, consider carrying hand warmers, nonslip boots, a 12‑volt heated blanket, a flashlight, protein bars, water (carried with you rather than stored), a portable battery starter, a snow shovel, a phone charger, and a flare kit. Extra clothes can be useful as well. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-01/30/2026-6AM-IMAGE COURTESY OF GILLMAN SUBARU)