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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.