RACT urges parents not to leave kids in cars at it responds to 47 call-outs in the last 12 months

With sweltering weather hitting Tasmania, the RACT is reminding people of the dangers kids stuck in cars face. Here’s top tips to reduce the risk of accidentally leaving kids in hot cars.

Zoe Yates with son Ellis Stedman 18 months. RACT warning motorists not to leave kids in hot cars. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Parents and caregivers have been warned not to leave their children alone in a car.

During the last 12 months, RACT has responded to 47 rescues of children and adults locked inside vehicles.

In the past decade, the organisation says it has rescued more than 880 children across the state.

Mel Percival RACT General Manager Advocacy and Government Relations with Zoe Yates with son Ellis Stedman 18 months. RACT warning motorists not to leave kids in hot cars. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

RACT Advocacy and Government Relations General Manager Mel Percival told people to take care of children when they are in vehicles.

“Even as we get to the end of summer and our warmer days, we still have a few ahead of us. It’s really important just to be really careful when we’ve got kids with us in the vehicle,” Ms Percival said.

“It doesn’t take a very hot day for the temperature inside the car to become warmer — up to 70 degrees — and that can happen in a really short period of time, 10 to 15 minutes.

“So really take care, know where your kids are, and watch out where the keys are.”

The Mercury asked Tasmania Police how many rescues it had performed but said it did not keep such data.

Recent statistics from Ambulance Victoria revealed that at least two children a day were reported locked in cars.

As of February 2, Ambulance Victoria received 230 call-outs for people locked in vehicles this summer.

Zoe Yates with son Ellis Stedman 18 months. RACT warning motorists not to leave kids in hot cars. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Percival said the most significant cause of children being left in cars was accidental.

“Parents don’t intend to lock their children in a vehicle.

“They often give the keys to the child to play with while they’re putting the groceries in the boot; the kids play with the keys and inadvertently lock the door, and suddenly they’re locked in the vehicle.

“So just keep the keys on you at all times.

“Another tip is to maybe roll down the windows when you get back to the car before you strap your children in and unload groceries because then at least the windows are open, and there is still access into the vehicle.”

If someone is locked in a car, Ms Percival said people should call triple-0 or RACT.

“We respond to all those calls, and we do it as a priority. If it is an emergency, please do call police.

“These situations can escalate really quickly, particularly on warmer days, so please call police … as you would any other emergency.”

Ms Percival said the RACT’s rates of rescuing people from locked cars were “pretty consistent year on year” over the last decade.