Top 10+ Items You Should Never Store Near a Heat Source (But Most Homes Do)

Aerosol Cans

Aerosol cans, like those for hairspray or air freshener, are everywhere in modern homes. But did you know that even moderate heat can cause them to explode?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has repeatedly warned that when stored near heaters or stoves, these pressurized cans can reach dangerous temperatures. In 2024, over 1,000 home fires in the U.S.

were linked to aerosol explosions, according to national fire incident data. The risk isn’t just fire—flying metal shards from a burst can are a real hazard.

Keeping aerosol cans in cool, shaded cabinets is the best way to avoid a shocking accident.

Cleaning Supplies

Many cleaning products, like bleach or ammonia, break down when exposed to heat, releasing toxic gases. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, incidents involving chemical fumes in homes have increased by 12% since 2023, with improper storage often to blame.

Even seemingly harmless items like all-purpose cleaners can become dangerous when stored near radiators or water heaters. Make sure to check the labels: almost all cleaning chemicals recommend storage in a cool, dry place.

This simple habit could prevent both health risks and chemical burns.

Batteries

Batteries, especially lithium-ion types found in phones and flashlights, are sensitive to temperature. Research by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in 2024 found that battery-related fires were up 18% in homes that stored them near heat sources.

Batteries can leak, swell, or even ignite when overheated. Never keep spare batteries on top of a microwave or next to a sunny window.

Instead, store them in a drawer away from all appliances that generate heat to avoid a costly and dangerous surprise.

Paints and Solvents

Paints, varnishes, and related solvents are highly flammable and can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), improper storage of these items near furnaces or space heaters caused dozens of home evacuations in 2023.

Heat not only increases the risk of combustion but also accelerates the release of harmful fumes, which can trigger headaches or respiratory issues. It’s always safest to keep these supplies in a well-ventilated, cool area like a garage shelf—not under the kitchen sink near a dishwasher’s vent.

Plastic Containers and Bottles

Plastic items, including water bottles and food storage containers, may seem harmless but can release microplastics and chemicals like BPA when exposed to heat. Studies published in 2024 by the Journal of Environmental Health showed that bottles stored near ovens or radiators leached 40% more chemicals into their contents.

This poses long-term health risks, especially for kids. The safest bet is to store plastics in a pantry or cupboard away from all heat sources, keeping drinking water and snacks chemical-free.

Paper Products

Paper towels, napkins, and even books can catch fire at surprisingly low temperatures. The National Fire Incident Reporting System highlighted in its 2023 report that kitchens with paper goods stored near stoves had double the fire incidents compared to those that didn’t.

Paper ignites at around 451°F, but it can smolder at much lower heat and cause smoke damage. Always keep paper products far from ovens, space heaters, and other high-heat appliances to minimize fire risk.

Cooking Oils

Storing cooking oil next to a stove might sound convenient, but it’s a major fire risk. The U.S.

Fire Administration reported in 2024 that 18% of all home kitchen fires involved oil that had overheated or caught fire from a nearby heat source. Oils can spontaneously combust if they reach their flashpoint, a temperature lower than you might expect.

For safety, keep all oils in a cool cabinet, never above or beside the stove, to avoid an explosive cooking disaster.

Medications

Most medications lose potency or even become dangerous when exposed to heat. According to the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), heat can break down the chemical structure of common prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs, making them less effective or harmful. A 2025 survey by the American Pharmacists Association found that nearly 30% of households store medicine in kitchens or bathrooms—rooms notorious for fluctuating temperatures.

To protect your health, keep medications in a cool, dark drawer, far from heat-emitting appliances.

Alcohol-Based Products

Hand sanitizers, rubbing alcohol, and some beauty products contain high levels of alcohol, which is very flammable. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) cautioned in 2023 that storing these items near heat sources led to a spike in accidental fires during the pandemic, as more people stocked alcohol-based products at home.

Even a small spark from a nearby appliance can ignite the vapors. Always store these items away from direct sunlight and heat, ideally in a medicine cabinet or closet.

Perishable Foods

It’s tempting to keep bread, fruits, or snacks on a countertop near a toaster or oven, but recent research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2024 shows that heat accelerates spoilage and bacteria growth.

Food left near heat sources was found to spoil up to 60% faster, sometimes developing mold or dangerous bacteria in just a day. To keep your family safe from foodborne illness and waste, store perishable items in a cool, dry spot, not next to the stove or appliances that get warm.