Never Keep These Items In Your Glove Compartment
Your glove compartment is a double-edged sword. It’s a convenient spot for car essentials, but it can also be a target for thieves or become a damage zone, depending on what you keep inside. A study by the National Insurance Crime Bureau survey on glove compartment items found that a shocking 60% of people admit to leaving valuables in their car, making them prime targets for smash-and-grab thefts. So here are 14 items (including a few surprising ones) you should never store in your glove compartment:
Garage Door Opener
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Think “two birds, one stone” for thieves. A stolen opener grants access to your home in addition to your car. Consider a spare opener hidden inside your house instead.
Spare Car Key
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Tempting fate? According to the NICB survey, a whopping 70% of stolen vehicles have a spare key readily available. Opt for a hidden magnetic key box under your car for a safer option.
Registration and Insurance
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These documents are crucial for the police during a traffic stop, but keeping them in the car is risky. Instead, photocopy them and keep them in your wallet for easy access.
Personal Documents
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Passports, social security cards, and bank statements are a goldmine for identity thieves. There’s no safer place for these than at home in a locked safe.
Electronics
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Extreme car temperatures can be brutal on your gadgets. A 2020 American Automobile Association study on electronics and heat found that prolonged heat exposure can damage laptops, phones, and tablets. Invest in a portable car cooler for medications that also need to stay chilled.
Perishable Food
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Leaving snacks or drinks in your glove compartment is an invitation for mold and unpleasant odors. Skip the glove box stash and pack a cooler bag for road trips.
Aerosol Cans
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The heat inside a parked car can turn these into ticking time bombs. Hairspray, deodorant, and even canned air for cleaning can explode under extreme temperatures. Store them elsewhere to avoid a potential fire hazard.
Medications
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Not all medications are created equal. Heat and fluctuating temperatures can degrade the effectiveness of certain life-saving drugs. Talk to your pharmacist about proper storage recommendations to ensure they work when you need them most.
Flammable Items
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This one’s a no-brainer. Lighters, matches, and even flammable cleaning supplies pose a serious fire risk, especially in your car’s enclosed space. Keep them out of your glove compartment and away from direct sunlight.
Valuables
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Jewelry, sunglasses, and electronics are like flashing neon signs to thieves. A quick stop at the gas station can turn into a disaster, and even a small window break can mean a big loss. Keep these valuables with you or safely tucked away at home.
Receipts and Old Paperwork
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Unless they’re essential tax documents, declutter your glove compartment! Shred or recycle these. A cluttered box makes it harder to find the important stuff you actually need, like jumper cables or a flashlight.
Cash
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Leaving a stash of cash is a bad idea. Consider a hidden car safe bolted to a discreet location if you need emergency money. Another option is a prepaid debit card with a limited balance to avoid a major financial loss.
Weapons
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Not only are there legal restrictions on where you can store weapons, but an unattended weapon in your car is a safety hazard. If it falls into the wrong hands, it could be used to harm you or others.
Extra House Keys
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If someone steals your car with a spare house key inside it, your entire home is at risk. There are much safer ways to grant access to someone in case of emergency, like having a trusted neighbor hold a spare key.