Parents warned about the dangers of leaving kids in sweltering cars

‘Do not leave your child in the car’: Parents warned after more than a dozen youngsters are rescued from vehicles as temperatures near 40C

  • Health experts are urging parents to not leave their children in cars on hot days
  • The warning comes after paramedics rescued 18 children during sweltering heat
  • Minster for Police and Emergency Services warned parents to be aware of risks
  • The temperature inside a locked car can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than outside 

Parents are being warned about the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars as dozens of youngsters are rescued from sweltering vehicles.

The warning comes after it was revealed ambulance officers rescued 18 youngsters from cars in the searing heat on Thursday and Friday, The Age reported.

Victoria’s Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville said on Friday as temperatures skyrocket, parents need to ‘do the right thing’ by their children. 

Parents have been warned about the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars as dozens of youngsters are rescued from sweltering vehicles (stock image)

‘Do not leave your child in the car. You have only moments in which you may lose a loved one,’ Ms Neville said. 

Summer has just started but there has already been some of the hottest days on record – with Victoria having one of the warmest starts to summer in decades.

Temperatures in most parts of Victoria on Friday soared to 40C, with Melbourne reaching 39C – with experts saying it’s only the start of more hot weather to come. 

Cooler temperatures over the weekend, plus some light showers will give the state some welcomed respite but not for long as the weather heats up again next week,  

While ambient temperatures are expected to reach the high 30s, the temperature inside a locked car can skyrocket by an additional 20 to 30 degrees, increasing the risk of heat stroke and death.

According to Kidsafe, leaving a window open has little effect, with 75 per cent of heating occurring in the first five minutes and 90 per cent in the first 15 minutes. 

The temperature inside a locked car can skyrocket by an additional 20 to 30 degrees (stock image)

The temperature inside a locked car can skyrocket by an additional 20 to 30 degrees (stock image)

The website stated many parents often miscalculate the time away from their vehicles and unattended children, placing them at further risk of heat stroke. 

Temperatures can rise by as much as 30 degrees, regardless of the size or colour of the car, or if it is parked in the shade or if the windows are partly opened or not. 

‘Parents often leave kids in the car thinking that they will be back in ‘just a minute’.

‘This often turns into 10-15 minutes which places children in extreme danger,’ the website stated. 

Kidsafe also states young children are more susceptible to heat stroke than other children and adults and advises anyone who spots an unattended child to call 000. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk