NRMA warns not to lock children or dogs in cars after surge in incidents
Pet owners and parents have been issued a warning after a new study found an alarming trend that could put dogs and children in danger.
New figures reveal an alarming rise in incidents where kids have accidentally been locked inside cars.
With summer’s arrival and scorching temperatures already here, NRMA is urging parents and pet owners to be careful not to lock their loved ones in with the car keys.
A total of 164 calls to NRMA to rescue children locked inside vehicles in NSW and the ACT during October represents a 21.5 per cent surge in such incidents, the organisation said.
Dimitra Vlahomitros, NRMA Road Safety Expert, said the organisation is urging parents to take care.
“It’s always quite stressful as a parent, especially during a busy Christmas period... juggling shopping... accidents do happen,” she said.
“It’s a timely reminder to always keep your keys on you and the windows down.”
During the last 12 months, more than 1,500 children and 1,400 animals have been rescued from locked vehicles by NRMA officials, with October being the busiest month.
The air temperature inside a locked car can quickly and dramatically increase to levels dangerous for a child.
A recent set of NRMA experiments showed the temperature inside a locked car rise by 20 points up to 48 degrees in just an hour.
“It doesn’t matter is it’s a winter’s day or a summer’s day, both can be just as dangerous,” she told reporters on Tuesday, before urging people to call Triple-0 immediately to avoid fatal consequences.
“On the 28 degree day the inside temperature reached 48 degrees but our camera overheated at 45.5 degrees and stopped working – fortunately this was an experiment and not a real-life scenario with a child in that seat,” Ms Vlahomitros said.
“If a child is stuck inside a car while the temperature is rapidly rising, they can very quickly become distressed, dehydrated and even die from organ failure.”
The NRMA recommends opening the windows before placing kids or pets in the car and always keeping the car keys with you. If you don’t have pockets, drivers are urged to place the car keys on the vehicle roof so that they don’t get stuck inside.
“If things are escalating quite quickly, grab something sharp and smash the window furthest away from the child or animal,” she said.
“We prioritise these jobs.”
Leaving a child unattended inside a locked car under any circumstances is illegal with fines of up to $22,000.
Meanwhile, Police Minister David Elliott supported the idea that citizens may have to step in and help before police and emergency services arrive which may involve smashing the window of a strangers car.
“You don’t need to be a police officer to save a life,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“If you call the police and they can’t be there within a within a reasonable period, you’ve got a moral obligation to save somebody’s life.”
Mr Elliott said he endorses the new campaign and slammed Australians who would even consider leaving a loved one, whether that be a child or pet, inside a hot car.
“You wouldn’t leave them in an oven, and that’s what cars become,” he said.
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