10 Things You Should Never Leave Out During a Heat Wave
When the heat hits triple digits, everything changes—especially what you leave outside. Things that normally survive fine in the sun start breaking down, fading, warping, or even becoming dangerous.
Summer heat doesn’t just ruin your stuff. It shortens the life of your tools, gear, and anything else exposed too long. These are the things you really don’t want to leave out in that kind of heat.
Battery-Powered Tools
Leaving battery tools out in the sun or a hot shed is one of the fastest ways to ruin them. Heat degrades lithium-ion batteries fast. They’ll start swelling, losing power, or not charging at all if they’re exposed to extreme temps for too long.
Garden Chemicals
Fertilizers, sprays, or weed killer left out in the sun can break down or change chemically. The heat can cause pressure to build in the container or change how the formula works. Store them inside or in a shaded, well-ventilated area to keep them stable.
Water Hoses
Hoses left coiled up in the sun get brittle fast. The plastic or rubber starts cracking, especially near the ends where stress builds. You might not notice it until pressure builds up and you’ve got a leak right at the spigot.
Bags of Feed
If you leave livestock or pet feed out during a heat wave, expect it to go stale—or worse, mold. Heat speeds up spoilage and draws in bugs. Even if it’s under a roof, it needs ventilation and should never be stored in a plastic bag in full sun.
Canned Drinks
Cans of soda or beer left outside can explode in high heat. Even in a cooler, if it’s sitting in direct sunlight all day, those cans can swell and pop. You don’t want to deal with sticky shrapnel from a blown-up Dr Pepper.
Kids’ Toys
Plastic ride-ons, balls, and outdoor toys fade, crack, and warp fast in summer sun. If they’re sitting on concrete or exposed surfaces, they also heat up enough to burn skin. Store them under shade or in the garage when you can.
Dog Bowls
Metal or dark-colored dog bowls get dangerously hot when left in the sun. Even if there’s water in them, it heats up fast and can burn your dog’s tongue or keep them from drinking at all. Always keep pet water in the shade.
Lawn Tools with Plastic Handles
Even heavy-duty tools with thick plastic handles can soften and warp in high heat. Shovels, loppers, and even wheelbarrow grips get sticky, brittle, or start slipping if they’re left out on a hot surface all day.
Propane Tanks in the Sun
Leaving propane tanks out isn’t always dangerous, but it’s not smart during a heat wave. The pressure inside builds in the heat, and while they’re built to handle a lot, you don’t want one sitting out near something flammable or enclosed.
Rubber Mats or Welcome Rugs
Mats on porches or decks curl up at the corners or melt slightly when exposed to extreme heat. Once they start warping, they rarely flatten back out. It’s better to roll them up or bring them inside until the worst of the heat passes.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
