How to sleep safely in a car?

(HNMO) - The unfortunate incident that occurred today (June 2nd) in An Lao district ( Hai Phong ), where 3 people showed signs of asphyxiation in a car, with one person dying, once again raises a warning about the improper habit of sleeping in cars.

In theory, sleeping in a car is safe.

For any car user, napping in the car is common, but it's important to know some key points to avoid this habit potentially leading to life-threatening situations.

Is it safe to sleep in a car?

Basically, sleeping in a car is safe. The original car design isn't completely airtight, allowing oxygen to circulate freely through the cabin, making it easier for occupants to breathe even with all the doors closed. According to a study by the National Center for Bioinformatics in the US, the air inside a car is "refreshed" every 1-3 hours, even with the engine off and windows completely closed. Studies show that you need at least 8-9 people in a 5-7 seater car before oxygen deprivation begins to occur.

Avoid the "invisible killer"

However, lack of oxygen isn't the real danger when sleeping in a closed car; carbon monoxide (CO) in the exhaust fumes is the real killer, causing many tragic deaths. Regardless of the type of car you have, the risk of CO poisoning is always present, especially when you sleep in it.

The frightening thing is that carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, so people don't realize they've inhaled it until it's too late. When the amount of CO in the blood exceeds safe levels, those who inhale it may experience dizziness or temporary shortness of breath. Once exposed to high levels, death is almost inevitable.

Sleeping in a parked car or enclosed space should be avoided as much as possible.

You should turn off the air conditioner when you sleep.

Turning off the car's air conditioning while sleeping helps avoid risks if exhaust fumes leak from the exhaust pipe. This happens quite frequently in older cars. If the temperature difference between the outside and inside of the car is too large, you can slightly open the windows to create a balance before starting the engine and turning on the air conditioning. With electric cars, turning on the air conditioning is quite safe due to its design using only electricity, but be careful to avoid draining the battery, which could render the car inoperable.

Avoid soundproofing and noise reduction in vehicles that do not meet proper principles.

Nowadays, it's not uncommon for car owners to apply underbody coatings or soundproofing to their vehicles, but few know how to do it correctly. Cars actually have many ventilation holes and openings for water drainage, but most of these will be blocked if the technicians applying the soundproofing or insulation don't have high-level expertise.

Soundproofing materials can cover up drains, vents, and other openings in a vehicle.

Avoid sleeping in a parked car in a closed room.

One thing that few people realize is that while cars aren't airtight, garages in households are often quite enclosed, and there's no way for exhaust fumes to escape if someone runs the engine and sleeps in the car. When exhaust fumes fill the room, they can seep back into the car's interior, posing a high risk of serious consequences. Therefore, make sure your parking space is well-ventilated before going to sleep.

Pay attention to your sleeping posture.

Most modern cars allow you to adjust the seats to positions suitable for sleeping, preventing potential injuries. For example, on some Honda models with Magic Seat, the seats can even fold flat to create a perfect bed. Refer to your car's owner's manual for the best settings.

The "bed" in the Honda Jazz is quite comfortable.

Inform others that you are sleeping in the car.

Having someone know you're sleeping in your car significantly reduces the risk. They can occasionally check on you and address any issues that arise. Additionally, you should consider setting an alarm before falling asleep in your vehicle.

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