The average American spends over an hour each day on their commute to and from work, according to New York Post. Add in the time for personal trips, and you can see why people often have their meals while in a vehicle. Despite how common it is for people to grab their food to go, this habit can damage their vehicle and their health.
1. Bacteria Develops Quickly in Cars
Bacteria doubles every
20 minutes when food stays at room temperature. As the heat in a vehicle increases, it speeds up the development of bacteria that causes food-borne illness. The delay to finish lunch because of a short trip into a shop could make a once-safe sandwich suddenly dangerous.
Bacteria also grow on the food scraps and crumbs that drop onto seats and floors during every meal.
Food wrappers become another source of potential contamination. The possibility of illness exists even after the removal of any distinguishable mess from the vehicle because the bacteria may remain.
2. Unattended Food Creates a Mess
Extreme temperatures can cause problems with consumable products. Cans and bottles may freeze and burst in the cold. Heat can do the same to bottles that hold carbonated beverages. Chocolate and sugary toppings like glaze and frosting melt in the heat and leave behind a sticky mess.
The mess can cause stains on their own or make it easier for dirt, pet hair, and other debris to collect and stick to the carpets and upholstery. Over time, the fibers of these soft coverings become matted and reduce the appearance of the interior.
3. Vehicles Can Be Very Dirty
London
researchers discovered that certain areas in the average vehicle had about 700 bacteria every 10 centimeters. This amount was nearly nine times higher than the bacteria levels found on toilet seats in public bathrooms. Think about the grime that enters the average vehicle. People rarely wash their hands before they enter a car and they all touch the seatbelts, seats, and door handles.
Coins sit in cup holders along with food wrappers and cellphones. Shoes walking on dirty sidewalks and public floors rub across the carpets and occasionally end up on the seats. The trunk holds tools and luggage pulled through airports. The back seat carries gym bags and athletic equipment that moments before were on locker room benches and floors.
4. Old Food Smells Can Linger
The food and beverage odors permeate the cloth of seats and headliners and circulate through ventilation systems. All food smells become less appealing over time, especially as they combine with the next meal. People become oblivious to the odor of their own vehicle, but guests will notice it, as will any future potential buyer of the vehicle.
5. Eating and Riding Can Be Unhealthy
Eating on the run is often mindless eating. Food choices in vehicles tend to be what is easy to eat while moving and what is readily available. People often consume more calories and eat faster when distracted by another activity. Fast eating can result in nausea, bloating, heartburn, and gas.
The fourth leading cause of unintentional death of children under the age of 5 is choking, according to the New York Department of Health. Kids that eat while on the road may have a higher choking risk. In a vehicle, the parent cannot watch children as closely as they would when sitting across the table. The child may be sleepier due to the vehicle movement and they do not sit up as straight in a car seat as they would in a chair.
Develop healthier habits by forbidding food and drinks, other than water, from the vehicle. It will keep the vehicle safer and improve how it looks and smells. At
Grand Prix Car Wash, we can help you to begin this new lifestyle with a professional auto detailing that will make your car feel like it is brand new again. Stop by or contact us to schedule an appointment.
