With temperatures set to soar again this week, RAC is reminding drivers to keep their keys secure to avoid a child or pet becoming locked in their vehicle.
Across 2025, RAC Roadside Assistance Patrols attended 569 lock-in incidents, including 263 involving children and 306 involving pets – an increase of 27 per cent over the previous year.
RAC Senior Manager Communications Rhys Heron said it was a timely reminder for drivers to stay alert.
“Accidental lock-ins can happen to anyone, and they happen in seconds,” Mr Heron said.
“These situations are incredibly stressful, and in hot weather can become dangerous very quickly.”
“The simplest and safest choice is to keep your keys on you at all times, avoid placing them on seats or in bags inside the car, and double-check doors before closing them.”
Lock-ins often occur during everyday tasks such as loading shopping, buckling in children, or securing pets for travel.
With WA’s extreme heat, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise rapidly, posing serious risks within just a few minutes.
“It only takes a split second for a door to swing shut or an automatic locking system to activate, leaving keys inside and a child or pet accidentally locked in,” Mr Heron said.
“If you are faced with this situation, contact emergency services immediately if there are any signs of distress or heat risk.”
While RAC prioritises these callouts, Roadside Assistance Patrols do not have emergency sirens and can still be delayed by traffic. If a child or pet is distressed or in immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted.
ENDS
Media contact: Lauren Cherry, 08 9436 4889 or media@rac.com.au
