Power outages during extreme heat waves force many people to sleep in their cars with the air conditioning on. But users should pay special attention to the following warning.

The sweltering, stifling heat combined with crying children makes many families struggle to cope when the power goes out. People try every possible way to get a good nap at noon or a decent night’s sleep in the hot, airless darkness.

Not a few people come up with the idea of sleeping inside their car with the air conditioner running. This isn’t a new phenomenon. And you can sleep comfortably in an air-conditioned car. However, there have been many cases of people falling asleep and dying in the car. Therefore, it’s important to do it correctly to ensure safety for you and your family.

Do not sleep for many consecutive hours in a car with the air conditioner on
The main reason prolonged sleep in an air-conditioned car becomes dangerous is carbon monoxide. For a car’s air conditioner to operate, the engine must stay running.

Car exhaust releases carbon monoxide into the surrounding air. This is not life-threatening when you’re driving on the road, but in a confined space, carbon monoxide can be extremely dangerous, according to Vehiclefreak.

The main cause of death when sleeping in a car is carbon monoxide. This gas is colorless and odorless, released when burning fuels such as coal, wood, charcoal, and fuel oil.

It usually disperses quickly outdoors but is harmful to human health when it accumulates in an enclosed space. For example, a car parked with the engine running and all windows closed. People sleeping inside can die of carbon monoxide poisoning without ever showing symptoms.

Awake individuals may experience common symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion, and seizures.

The longer the exposure, the worse the symptoms. Loss of consciousness can occur within 2 hours if carbon monoxide levels are high.

In addition, leaving a car running with the air conditioner on for too long while parked can lead to running out of fuel or the engine overheating because the forced-cooling system is inactive. This can cause the air conditioner to stop working, oxygen levels inside the car to drop, and someone sleeping for a long period may gradually lose consciousness and die.

Safety precautions when sleeping in a car
In some countries, sleeping in a car is illegal. In the U.S., it is illegal in most cities. Some states such as Virginia and Florida also require residents to follow specific rules regarding sleeping in vehicles.

To reduce homelessness, some cities impose fines of up to 1,000 USD or even up to 6 months in jail for those caught sleeping in their cars.

However, if you have no other choice but to sleep in your car, below are the top safety recommendations:

– Choose a ventilated, shaded place to park. A wide, open area helps exhaust fumes disperse quickly instead of collecting around the vehicle.
– Wear comfortable clothing and prepare necessary sleep items such as pillows, blankets, or sleeping bags.
– Leave the window slightly open or use the sunroof if your car has one.
– Hang window curtains to prevent passersby from looking in and to keep out light and insects. If you don’t have curtains, you can use cardboard cut to window size.
– To maintain air circulation, prepare a small fan.
– Text your location to a friend or family member and inform them that you’re sleeping in the car. Set repeating alarms at 15–30–45–60-minute intervals to avoid oversleeping for too long.