Jordan Doherty
Latest data on Ambulance Victoria call outs, has shown paramedics were called to 1228 cases of people locked in cars from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022 – including to areas in Brimbank and surrounding suburbs.
Sunshine and Caroline Springs had the highest amount of call outs in Brimbank and surrounding suburbs, both with five each.
Most of the call outs were in the summer months, with 33.4 per cent – or 410 cases – happening between December 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022.
Of the 1228 call outs, paramedics treated 198 patients at the scene and transported 15 to hospital.
An AV spokesperson said they were urging people to remember that hot cars can kill and to never leave kids, older people or pets in a parked car.
According to Ambulance Victoria, the temperature can double in minutes. Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a parked car can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the temperature outside.
Heat can cause illnesses such as heat cramps and heat exhaustion or lead to heatstroke which is fatal in up to 80 per cent of cases – however heatstroke is entirely preventative.
Those most at risk are older people, young children and people with a medical condition. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult.
The AV spokesperson said they urge people to remember that heatstroke is a life-threatening condition and tell people don’t hesitate to call them.
“If you or someone else is experiencing seizures, confusion or stroke-like symptoms, collapsing or is unconscious, contact triple-0 immediately.”
