Today, we’re going to be talking about something a little bit scary. Something that a lot of kids worry about, and something that adults sometimes forget: car heat. We all know that cars can get really warm in the summertime, and we might even leave our windows open a bit on those hot days. But what happens if the car gets too hot?
What are crayons made of?
Crayons are made of wax, pigment, and a binding agent. Over time, crayons can become brittle and break if they are exposed to high temperatures, such as in a car.
How do they work?
Crayons are made of wax and oil. The wax is melted and drawn into the oil, and the crayon is created. When coloured pencils were first invented, they used wax too.
What happens if they melt in the car?
If your child has a large supply of crayons, be sure to store them in a safe place – preferably in the car. According to the CPSC, crayons and other coloring materials can melt and release fumes if they get too hot or humid in a car. This can create dangerous situations for both children and adults. In fact, in 2011, 12 people were injured in the U.S. due to melted crayons – including two who were burned.
Can you fix them?
If your child’s crayons have melted in the car, don’t despair. There are a few things you can do to fix them.
The first thing you should do is remove any sharp pieces of plastic from around the crayons. This can prevent them from breaking apart when heated.
Next, heat up a pan of water on the stove and place the crayons in it. Make sure that the pan is tightly closed so that the heat can cook the crayons evenly. Cook for about five minutes, or until they are melted. Be careful not to let them burn!
Finally, use a spoon to scoop out the melted crayons and place them in a bowl. You can then use a spoon to stir them until they are fully melted and smooth.
Conclusion
At first, it may seem like a silly question – after all, won’t crayons melt in the car? But if you have ever been stranded with a melted crayon in your bag or worse yet, on your child’s hands, you know that these little cylinders of color can be pretty dangerous.
Crayons are made of wax and oil mixture, which when heated up can easily liquefy. In fact, even if the crayon doesn’t get too hot to the touch, the heat from the sun or another warm object can cause it to melt. And if there is wax stuck to something else inside the car – like say a window – chances are good that when that wax melts it will also spread and ruin whatever surface it was attached to.