Ambulance Victoria (AV) is reminding the community that hot cars can be life threatening, as call-outs for people trapped in parked vehicles remain alarmingly high.
This summer, AV paramedics have already responded to more than 230 reports of people locked in cars, highlighting the ongoing danger as temperatures soared across the state.
From December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, paramedics were called to a total of 1211 cases.
AV director of regional and clinical operations Steve Doyle said although the data suggests cases have reduced over the last 12 months, the number of call-outs during hot weather is deeply concerning.
“We are urging Victorians to never leave kids or elderly people in parked cars, even on mild days,” Mr Doyle said.
“The temperature inside a vehicle can double and become deadly within minutes … it is particularly dangerous for children to be left inside vehicles, as a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult,” he said.
Of the 1211 call-outs over the past year, paramedics treated 134 patients at the scene, and only one patient required transport to hospital.
“We know that children can often become accidentally locked in cars … we encourage parents and carers to make sure keys are kept with them and to be alert while loading family members in and out of vehicles,” Mr Doyle said.
“Accidents happen, and if someone does get locked in a vehicle, call [Triple Zero].”
Triple Zero Victoria executive director of emergency communications services Michael Fawcett said between December to February each year, the organisation receives an average of more than 480 calls from people reporting children left in hot cars.
“Last summer, [Triple Zero] calls from the suburbs of Pakenham, Melton, Hoppers Crossing, Craigieburn and Dandenong were most common,” Mr Fawcett said.
“Don’t hesitate to call Triple Zero … if you see a child in a car on a warm day because temperatures can become dangerously high very quickly.”
