RAC warns parents against locking kids in cars
As Perth temperatures continue to climb, the RAC has issued an urgent alert to parents to not leave young children locked in cars.
The RAC’s Roadside Patrols have been called out to rescue more than 600 children locked in cars so far this year.
While most of these cases involved accidental lock-ins, many parents are still making the mistake of leaving children locked in parked cars while they dash into shops.
RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said it was extremely dangerous to leave children or pets locked in cars.
“With the milder start to summer perhaps some people have forgotten just how hot their cars can get,” Mr Brown said.
“With the today’s surge in temperatures coinciding with the busy post-Christmas shopping period there’s added danger that a young child or baby could be seriously harmed.
“Your car can be 30-to-40 degrees hotter than the temperature outside. So if it’s 35 degrees outside, the inside of your car can quickly heat up to 65-to-75 degrees.
“Young children are very susceptible to heat stress, dehydration and heat-stroke. The younger the child, the greater the danger.
“Parents often make the mistake of thinking they’ll be quickly in and out of a shop. But most of the heat increase inside the car happens within the first five minutes of closing the car.
“Even leaving your windows open by as much as 5cm has little impact on the heat increase.
“Large cars heat up just as quickly as small cars and the colour of the interior trim has little effect on the rate of increase of temperature.
“The only safe way to deal with hot weather is to take your child with you.”
Mr Brown also reminded parents that babies and young children need regular drink stops when travelling in warmer weather.
“The Australian Breastfeeding Association warns that car air-conditioners can cause some dehydration in babies so extra feeding stops may be required.
“We’d also recommend that parents plan their travel for the cooler parts of the day and make sure their children have plenty of water to drink along the way.”
Download the release