Frankston, Pakenham the suburbs RACV most called to get kids out of locked cars
As temperatures start to sizzle again, the RACV reveals the 20 suburbs where crews were called to most to kids locked in cars – with Frankston and Pakenham top of the list. Find out how your suburb ranks.
South East
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Frightening statistics show a child is being rescued from a locked car every eight hours by emergency roadside assistance patrols.
Crews have been called to 843 incidents since the start of 2019, the majority of which were accidental.
With summer heating up, the RACV is urging parents and carers to be extra cautious, through their ‘check keys – check kids’ campaign.
The RACV’s suburb-by-suburb breakdown reveals Frankston and Pakenham had the highest number of call-outs to children locked in cars this year.
Crews have been called to both suburbs 14 times this year, ahead of Hoppers Crossing (13) and Malvern East (10).
Frankston Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen McKenzie said the recent tragic deaths of two children in Logan, Queensland, were a timely reminder of the terrible consequences of leaving children in cars.
“Being time-poor is not an excuse for leaving children unattended in vehicles,” he said.
“My experience is that most reports of children being left in vehicles occur when the adult is simply shopping or attending appointments.
“My advice is to resist the temptation to leave the kids in the car, even for a short time.”
Det Sen-Sgt McKenzie said if you see an unattended child in a vehicle, contact triple-0 immediately and remain with the vehicle until the driver returns or emergency services arrive.
RACV general manager public policy Bryce Prosser said RACV tests show that car interiors can reach more than 70 degrees in just minutes when the outside temperature is only 30 degrees.
“A momentary lapse in concentration combined with sophisticated vehicle-locking technology and soaring summer temperatures is a recipe for disaster,” he said.
Mr Prosser said research showed the body temperature of younger children rises five times faster than older children and adults.
“This means they are at higher risk of dehydration and heatstroke when trapped in a hot car,” he said.
RACV emergency roadside assistance patrolman Steven Kendall, who has rescued hundreds of children from cars over his 30-year career with RACV, said it was important that parents remain calm if they accidentally lock a child in a car.
“Knowing the dangers vehicle lock-ins pose to young children, RACV prioritises these call-outs as urgent and we allocate the job to the closest RACV crew,” Mr Kendall said.
The RACV’s top tips to avoid a child lock-in are:
• Wind windows down before putting children in the car
• Never give your keys to children to play with
• Avoid distractions when loading your car
• Find an easy way to hold on to your keys such as a lanyard or clip
If a child is accidentally locked in the car, parents and carers should call 13 1111 immediately for RACV roadside assistance or triple-0 immediately for life threatening emergencies.
For more information on Check Keys – Check Kids you can visit https://bit.ly/36p37bk
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RACV call outs to kids locked in cars in 2019:
FRANKSTON – 14 times
PAKENHAM – 14
HOPPERS CROSSING – 13
MALVERN EAST – 10
WARRNAMBOOL – 9
TARNEIT – 9
POINT COOK – 8
SALE – 8
PRESTON – 8
EPPING – 8
WODONGA – 8
GLEN WAVERLEY – 8
WARRAGUL – 8
GEELONG – 7
BERWICK – 7
NARRE WARREN – 7
WANGARATTA – 7
RESERVOIR – 7
MARIBYRNONG – 7
MENTONE – 6