Alarm as number of Victorian kids locked in cars revealed ahead of deadly heatwave

Alarming figures show paramedics have been called to people locked in cars 1587 times last year, most of them children under 13, as Victorians are warned to prepare for deadly heatwave conditions. INTERACTIVE MAP: How many call-outs were in your area?

Victorians are being warned to prepare for deadly heatwave conditions as too many continue to risk children’s lives in hot cars.

With scorching hot days forecast, the Andrews Government will today launch its ­Survive the Heat campaign, warning that extreme temperatures kill more Australians than any natural disasters, ­including bushfires.

It comes as alarming figures show paramedics were last year called to 1587 instances of people locked in cars, most of them children under 13.

VICTORIA’S WORST SUBURBS FOR KIDS LOCKED IN HOT CARS

TODDLER RESCUED FROM HOT CAR DURING SUMMER SCORCHER

Glaring danger spots Narre Warren and Hoppers Crossing each had 34 hot-car callouts, Pakenham had 27 calls, Shepparton 26, Preston 23, and ­Epping, Frankston, Craigieburn and Dandenong all had more than 20.

At a local government level, the City of Casey had a staggering 113 people locked in hot cars, while Wyndham (79), Whittlesea (69), Greater Geelong (60) and Hume (60) also preformed badly.

Health Minister Jenny ­Mikakos said others who faced a greater risk during hot spells included those over 65, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, babies and young children.

“We want Victorians, especially the elderly and those with medical conditions, to stop underestimating heatwaves — they are just as dangerous as floods and bushfires and we need to be prepared,” Ms Mikakos said.

“Hot cars can kill. Even if you’ll only be a couple of ­minutes, you should never leave kids unattended in cars.”

The state government has launched the campaign to prevent a repeat of previous heatwave disasters, including the January 2009 heatwave during which 374 Victorians died over a few days, as well as the 2014 heatwave, which claimed 167 lives.

Victoria’s Acting Chief Health Officer Brett ­Sutton said there were some simple steps Victorians could take to protect themselves, including:

DRINKING more water by taking small sips from a bottle throughout the day;

KEEPING cool and seeking out airconditioned buildings;

PLANNING ahead and scheduling activities for the coolest times of the day;

LOOKING out for the most vulnerable — this might be your neighbour living alone or the elderly.

“Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can affect anyone, but isolated elderly people are ­especially at risk,” Dr Sutton said.

“That is why, as a community, we need to look out for one another and check on your neighbours on hot days.”

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