Seven children were left unattended in locked cars despite the temperature reaching 32 degrees in Victoria on Wednesday.
Emergency services were called to Camberwell, Mount Waverley, Pakenham, Skye, Rye and Lake Tyers where children had been left in cars between 10.45am and 4pm.
Most of the children involved were aged under 10 and were left in cars parked outside shopping centres, Ambulance Victoria spokesman Paul Bentley said.
“Most appeared to be deliberate, not accidental,” Mr Bentley said.
In each case, a concerned member of the public raised the alarm.
The incidents came despite the harsh penalties for parents who leave children unattended in cars. Under new laws to be introduced this month, penalties for leaving children unattended in cars will increase from fines of $2214 to $3690 and from three months’ jail to six months.
“Thankfully none of the children needed treatment or needed to be taken to hospital,” Mr Bentley said.
It can take just seven minutes for the temperature inside a car to reach 40 degrees. On a 32-degree day, the temperature inside a car can soar to 75 degrees.
So far this year, there have been more than 23 incidents of children being left in cars.
“Children die in hot cars – we’ve seen a couple of deaths in the last few years,” Mr Bentley said.
“Unfortunately, people think they can duck into the shops quickly, but they get delayed and all the while the temperature in the car is rising.
“It’s never safe to leave a child in a car . . . you’re putting their life at risk.”
Tips to avoid problems (including accidental lock-ins)
- Always take the child with you – even if you only intend to leave the car for a brief time.
- Keep the keys with the driver – never leave them with the child, in the ignition or place them on a seat.
- Never let children play with keys or access an unattended vehicle.
- Check the vehicle is empty before remote locking – it is easy to make a mistake and accidentally lock them in.
This story first appeared in The Age
