https://kslnewsradio.com/1925805/fact-check-hand-sanitizer-car-fire/
Can leaving a bottle of hand sanitizer in a hot car cause it to catch fire? Well, the short answer is yes, but it’s unlikely.
Photos of a burned-out car door have been circulating on the internet, with the caution that leaving a bottle of alcohol-based gel in the car could lead to a fire.
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With the makeup of most alcohol-based hand sanitizers being made up of 70% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, the flashpoint is only around 63 or 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
Guy Colonna, the director of NFPA’s engineering technical services says that puts the flashpoint at basically room temperature. That means that no more added heat is needed for those flammable vapors to be given off.
Rubbing alcohol is difficult to ignite in liquid form since it contains water. (Don't try - the vapors CAN flash.) However, if you dip paper or cotton or fabric into alcohol, that serves as a wick and the gases will burn. There's a bar bet where you can safely set a dollar bill on fire when dipped in high-proof liquor because it will burn out
as long as nothing else is ignited by the resulting temporary flame! This is easily visible in that candle wax does not burn unless it contains a wick to vaporize it using the heat of the flame.
Most hand-sanitizer is stabilized with non-flammable gel and water. The most likely scenario is a sealed bottle can burst from heat buildup and cause a mess, but best not leave it to chance and test how good your car insurance is.
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