Tuesday, 3 December 2024: The NRMA is urging parents to keep track of their keys to avoid accidentally locking their children or pets in cars, as the state swelters through its first bout of summer heat.
Over the last 12 months, NRMA patrols have responded to 1846 calls where a child or a pet has been locked in a car. The majority of these cases were accidental with parents or carers unintentionally locking their keys along with their children in the car.
With temperatures expected to climb above 30 degrees in many parts of the state over the next week, it is important for parents to take extra care when loading their children in and out of the car.
NRMA Road Safety Expert, Dimitra Vlahomitros said the temperature inside a hot car could almost double the temperature outside and it would not take long for children or pets to be in serious danger.
“Whether you’re packing the car full of groceries or packing the car for a holiday, make sure you know where your keys are and don’t leave your keys with children to play with while loading up the car,” Ms Vlahomitros said.
“Many people believe cars with modern technology don’t allow you to lock the keys inside the car, but that’s just not the case, particularly if there’s a young child using the keys as a toy.
“We know life gets busy in the lead up to Christmas but it’s important to be extra vigilant when getting in and out of the car with young children.”
NRMA Patrol, Tony Tamine, said children and pets locked in cars were always prioritised by NRMA roadside assistance.
“When we receive a call that a child is locked in a car, it becomes a priority job and is moved to the top of our list,” said Mr Tamine.
“As patrols, we train specifically for these situations to get children and pets out of cars as quickly and calmly as possible. In many instances, the parents are more stressed than the child locked in the car.
“If your child is visibly distressed, call 000. Emergency services can also assist and may be able to arrive on the scene sooner for urgent situations by using lights and sirens.”
Leaving an unattended child locked in a car under any circumstances is illegal and dangerous. Parents can be fined up to $22,000 under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998.
