Heat and pressurized cans
Illustrative example, not a real car, owner or business. A visitor heading to the mountains leaves bear spray on the dash of a rental car parked at a shopping center in southeast Aurora on a July afternoon. Hours later, they return to a car that makes their eyes water the moment the door opens. The can has vented from the heat.
Aerosol cans are pressurized, and labels on bear spray warn against storing it in high heat. A dashboard in direct sun can get far hotter than the outside air. A can that vents slowly may leave less visible residue than a discharge, but the irritant still coats the dash, windshield and front seats.
What the driver did
Illustrative example. Not a real job or customer.
The driver needs the rental the next day for a mountain trip.
- They step back, open all doors and wait upwind for half an hour.
- With gloves, they bag the can. They do not run the fan.
- They call the rental company, describe what happened and ask how to proceed.
- The company swaps the car and sends the first one for professional cleaning of the dash, glass, seats and HVAC.
The visitor kept to their plan in a different car. The rental company's cleaning fee was applied under the agreement, supported by the driver's honest report and photos.
Storing bear spray in a car
What the rental company did
The company cleaned the dash, vents and glass with a degreaser, extracted the front seats, replaced the cabin filter, and aired the car for a day before a closed-car recheck. Because the driver reported the problem right away and honestly, the matter was settled quickly under the rental agreement.
Common questions
Could the venting have been prevented?
Yes. Storing the can in a cool, closed bag in the trunk, out of direct sun, greatly reduces the risk.
Did the cabin filter need replacing?
Yes. Even though the fan was off, residue settled near the intake, and the rental company replaced it as a precaution.
Was anyone hurt?
The driver had brief eye and throat irritation that eased in fresh air; anyone with trouble breathing should call 911.
General information for Aurora, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.