As the temperatures in the UK are starting to soar, many of us are spending lots more time outside in the sun.
This usually means that our e-cigarettes will also be spending a lot more time in the sun, so we’ve got some vaping summer safety tips to help you vape safely during the hot weather!
Keep your vape out of the sun
If you’re hanging out in the sun then chances are your vape kit is also spending a lot of time in the sun by default.
However, the lithium ion batteries which are used inside vape kits do not like temperature extremes, so this can cause the device to become very hot if left in direct sunlight.
When your vape battery becomes too hot this can cause the device to no longer work as expected, and may even cause the vape battery to vent, which could be dangerous to both you and your environment.
When vape batteries are consistently subject to hot weather this can also affect the battery life.
When taking your vape outside in the heat, try and ensure you are keeping it in a cool area, in the shade and away from direct sunlight. It can also be a good idea to invest in a vape case so that you can store all of your vaping supplies together and offer a bit more protection.
Charging vape batteries safely
Keeping your device safe from the hot weather is not just limited to taking your e-cigarette outside though. It is easy to forget that the heat from the sun can still affect electronics inside your house, such as if they are stored on a window sill, or even just left charging in the path of direct sunlight.
Our top tips, along with not leaving your device in direct sunlight, are to ensure you are monitoring the device when it is charging, and making sure to not leave it charging on any particularly flammable surfaces like rugs or bed spreads.
We have lots of advice about how to best charge and maintain your vape battery in our post ‘Vaping battery safety’, but these are especially important to remember during the warmer months.
How the heat affects e-liquid
Hot temperatures can actually also affect the consistency of your e-liquid, making it thinner and more watery than it would usually be.
This means that if your device spends too much time in the sun, you may start to notice some e-liquid is leaking out, especially for vape tanks with a bottom airflow design.
This can also be the case if you leave your e-cigarette in a hot car. As we all know, parked cars can get extremely hot, so don't be surprised if you come back and find that your vape has protested being left in a hot car by leaking a little bit.
Keep your vape kit dry
Whether you’re at the beach, by the pool, or even just hanging out in your garden with a paddling pool, many of us flock to water to cool off during the summer.
While you want to be able to keep your nicotine cravings at bay, it’s important to remember that vape kits and water do not mix.
As with other electricals, vape kits will need to be kept away from the water in a cool and dry place to avoid damage. So, if you’re planning on doing any cannon balls, we recommend checking your pockets first to make sure your vape kit won’t be making a splash with you.
Stay hydrated!
Obviously, staying hydrated is always important, especially during the warmer weather. However, what you may not know is that vapers are actually a little more likely to become dehydrated, although this is normally only if you are a particularly heavy vaper.
This is because propylene glycol (PG) which is one of the base ingredients in e-liquid is hygroscopic, meaning it draws moisture from its environment.
In the summer more than ever it is important to make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids and watching out for signs of dehydration in yourself and those around you. These can include dry mouth, eyes, and lips, dizziness and headaches, and drowsiness.
While dehydration from vaping is not very common, it is definitely something you should bear in mind when out and about in the sun, as you can never be too careful!
Vaping at festivals
If you’re heading off to a festival this summer and plan to take your vape kit with you, there are a few things you should consider before you go.
Which vape kit should you take?
Unfortunately, in amongst the crowds and mosh pits it is more likely that your vape could get lost or damaged, and while this could really put a dampener on your festival experience, it could also out your stop smoking journey in jeopardy.
Many people choose to take a small, inexpensive device like a prefilled pod system with them to a festival, or even a couple of disposable vapes.
This means that, should your device go missing or get broken, you will not have to replace your whole vaping set-up, which will still be waiting for you when you get home. It may also help you pack lighter as you'll need to take less vape gear with you.
Be prepared!
It can be a good idea to take a spare disposable vape, extra vape juice, or a second battery for your prefilled pod kit, to make sure that you can still keep your nicotine cravings at bay while you are away.
It also helps to stock up with a little more than you think you will need, as many people find they actually vape more during festivals and nights out, and you wouldn’t want to run out of e-liquid, pods, or be stuck with a burnt coil!
We have a whole ‘Festival vaping’ post with tonnes of advice and recommendations for vaping at festivals.
How to take vapes abroad
If you’re planning on jetting off somewhere nice this summer, there are a few things you should take into consideration before your trip.
Step 1: Check the vaping laws in your destination country
Firstly, we recommend that you check local laws around vaping in your chosen destination. While in the UK we have embraced e-cigarettes as a crucial stop smoking tool, not all other countries share this viewpoint.
There are a number of different countries where vaping is banned, such as Brazil, Mexico, and Thailand, and others where there are strict vaping laws, like Australia where you need a prescription to be able to vape.
This will need to be taken into consideration ahead of your trip, as the last thing you want is to get in trouble for breaking local laws while on holiday or get stuck with a hefty fine.
Step 2: Check Airport rules before taking your vape on a plane
We recommend checking with your chosen airports ahead of your trip to check if they have any specific rules around vaping products, just to be sure you are prepared.
In UK airports e-liquids follow the same rules as any other liquids taken on a plane, they must be stored in bottles containing less than 100ml and put in a clear plastic bag.
This is definitely something to consider if you usually use short fills, as you may want to opt for 50ml short fill vape juice in place of a 100ml one, to ensure they can be taken away with you.
Any batteries and vape kits will need to be stored in your hand luggage, and external vape spare batteries like 18650s should always be carried in a plastic case or silicone sleeve.
This is not just for when you are travelling by plane, but something you should always do to avoid them coming into contact with any metallic objects like coins or keys that could cause them to vent.
We also recommend emptying your vape tank before you get on the plane. Although this may seem like a waste of e-liquid, the pressure changes onboard the plane can actually cause the e-liquid in your tank to be forced out through the mouthpiece and airflow, which can be extremely messy and a big inconvenience.
Step 3: Make sure you stock up ahead of time
It's a good idea to stock up on vape juice, coils or pods before your holiday, as there are no guarantees that you will be able to find vape shops that sell the products you like or that are compatible with your vape kit in the country you're visiting.
It is also a good idea to take a little bit more than you think you will need because, like with festivals and nights out, many people find they vape a little more during vacations than on a standard day.
We have a whole blog post on ‘Travelling with your vape’ which has lots of handy advice if you are heading on your holibobs this summer.
While we can never quite be sure what the Great British summer will have in store for us, we hope this advice can help you vape safely this summer and prepare you for any eventuality. If you have any other questions or would like some recommendations why not head into your local Evapo store or speak to a member of our Customer Service team.
