Don't leave it alone! Rubbing alcohol in the car

Don't leave it alone! Disinfection alcohol in the car June 5 17:55

The time when the temperature will rise. The temperature inside the car will also rise, but this is a special caution. I think that many people carry alcohol for disinfection (ethanol) for anti-virus measures, but if you leave it in the car, it may cause an unexpected situation. Although rubbing alcohol is an essential product in our daily lives, we need to know how to use it properly.
(Daiko Takahashi, Yoko Idegami, Reporter, Network News Department)

The tweet that triggered

"Don't leave rubbing alcohol in a hot car." "In the worst case, it can lead to a vehicle fire." The other day, such a tweet became a topic on SNS.

In response to this, replies such as "I put it in the car. I have to be careful" "I was leaving it so I will go to get it" and the number of retweets is June As of the 5th, it has reached approximately 12,000.

I tweeted the official account of "Kovac", a company that carries out vehicle inspection maintenance. When I asked the person in the account about this tweet...

Person in charge:
“I have been tweeting trivia about car maintenance on a daily basis, but I was surprised to find that there was no reaction to this point. Due to the influence of the new coronavirus, small sprays and mini bottles There are many people who carry rubbing alcohol with them, so I'm happy if tweets can help me to prevent troubles and mess caused by forgetting it.''

"Dangerous goods" when the alcohol content is higher than around 67%

The Tokyo Fire Department has publicized precautions when handling rubbing alcohol.

Of these, products that have an alcohol content of more than 67% are classified as "dangerous goods" under the Fire Service Law, and there is a high risk that they will catch fire.

According to the Tokyo Fire Department, flammable vapors will be generated if these high-concentration rubbing alcohols are left in places with high temperatures.

In particular, in a closed space that is not ventilated, flammable vapors tend to accumulate.

It does not ignite, but if there is a fire in the immediate vicinity, it may ignite alcohol and burn into clothes.

As mentioned in the tweet I introduced earlier, the interior of the car in the summer is a closed space and the temperature becomes high, so if you leave the rubbing alcohol, you accidentally set the lighter on when you get in the car. However, alcohol can catch fire.

Inside the car in summer is close to 80 degrees!

Then, how much does the temperature inside the car rise in summer? There is an experiment conducted by JAF = Japan Automobile Federation in August in the middle of summer.

Prepare a car with the temperature inside the car adjusted to 25 degrees in the hot sun during the day. I left it for four hours from noon.

A black car without shades and shades has an average temperature of 51 degrees. On the dashboard, it climbed up to 79 degrees. Even white cars have 47 and 74 degrees. It was almost the same result.

Takashi Takagi of the JAF Tokyo Branch Business Division said, “Because the direct sunlight hits the windshield near the dashboard, it becomes particularly hot in the summer. Knowing that rubbing alcohol is “dangerous to leave” There are many people who do, but there are also many who inadvertently forget to leave it behind.” When you get out of the car, you can make it a habit to check whether something is left on the dashboard” I'm afraid that the temperature will rise in the coming season, so it's not safe to leave it anywhere in the car, not to mention the dashboard, so be careful."

Be careful in everyday life

Be careful not only in the summer car. Even if you use a fire such as a cigarette or a gas stove immediately after disinfecting your hands with alcohol, your clothes may catch fire. This is an experiment conducted by the Tokyo Fire Department.

Wear gloves to prevent burns, use rubbing alcohol, and immediately light a cigarette with a lighter. Then, the flame spread to my hand.

In summer, you may have the opportunity to go camping, but if you use a lighter to set fire or use a stove to cook, you should be careful because it may catch fire even outdoors.

The Tokyo Fire Department said, "Disinfect your hands away from fire, and dry your hands thoroughly before cooking with fire. Poor ventilation and special attention should be paid to enclosed spaces." I want you to remember that."

With the spread of the new coronavirus, rubbing alcohol has rapidly penetrated into our lives, but it seems that we need to be careful about where to store it and how to use it.

Organizations such as manufacturers "use the correct way"

The Alcohol Association, a general incorporated association made by manufacturers such as ethanol makers, says that rubbing alcohol is not dangerous if used correctly and is effective for sterilization, disinfection, and prevention of mold.

However, it is said that caution is required for fire and ventilation. As noted in the product notice, I would like you to observe the following points.

・Never use near a fire.
・Never put anything that becomes a fire.
・Be careful of ventilation when using.
・Since it volatilizes easily, close the stopper tightly when storing and store it in a cool place out of the sun.

Alcohol Society
“Please make sure that the same alcohol is not methanol for fuel when you buy it. There is no problem if you use it properly, so if you have any anxiety, check on the website of the Alcohol Society” I want you to handle it safely."

With the spread of the new coronavirus, rubbing alcohol has rapidly penetrated into our lives and has become an indispensable product.

That's why I think it is important for us to reconfirm where we store it and how to use it.