Advice

Kids Left in Hot Cars: How to Ensure It Doesn’t Happen to Your Child

Let’s not beat around the bush here. It’s bloody hot. And summer has only just started! 

With the excess sweat and stickiness, the scary realisation that Christmas is almost here and the extra stress that comes with end of year preparations, it’s understandable that parents have a lot on their plates.

But, for thousands of Aussie parents, this extra stress is having an incredibly dangerous and potentially deadly effect. Children, including infants, are being trapped in hot cars at an alarming rate across the country. Just last week on the Gold Coast, RACQ rescued four children from hot cars, including a baby.

Last year RACQ attended close to 1,200 call outs from Queensland to free children from hot, unattended cars. And this is just in ONE state!

Sometimes the parents accidentally lock the door before getting their child out. Sometimes they forget the child is in the back. Sometimes the kids hide, with devastating results. And sometimes the kids play with the keys and do the locking themselves.

But, whatever the reason, we all need to take the time to ensure that this type of thing doesn’t happen to you or your child, especially with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting above-average temperatures throughout the summer.


9 Tips for Keeping Kids Cool and Safe in Hot Cars

1. Don’t risk even a few minutes in the car

Yes, dragging the kids out of the car to fuel up, to buy supplies or to run in and grab the mail is annoying. But, it needs to be done.

Even if it’s just for a few minutes, we should never leave them alone. Parents and carers can face up to three years imprisonment in some states for leaving a child under the age of 12 unattended in a vehicle.

“Not only is there a penalty involved, more importantly it can seriously impact the health of your child, with temperatures inside a car near doubling the temperature on the outside,” explains Jeremy Tassone, GM Holden’s Vehicle Development Manager.

2. Invest in a Rear Seat Passenger Reminder

Many newer car models have this, including makes from Holden and Hyundai. It works by monitoring the vehicle’s rear doors and sending an alarm to help remind drivers of the back seat passengers.

3. Never let your child play with your keys

Sure, it’s an easy way to shut them up for a second but letting the kids play with your car keys can result in them accidentally pressing the wrong button and locking themselves in.

4. Invest in a key holder for your purse

Or choose a special area to stash your keys when out and about and avoid accidentally misplacing them or leaving them on the front seat.

5. Put your purse in the backseat

This can ensure you always do a double take when getting out of the car.

6. Always keep the car locked if you’re not using it

Why? Because kids are curious creatures and a car could prove to be the perfect hiding spot.

“The trouble is if they manage to lock themselves in or happen to play with some of the buttons while they’re in there,” Jeremy said.

7. Look into Infant SOS

This is an app that can send you a text to alert you that your child is still in the back seat.

8. Check for hot parts

Burning seatbelts are a nightmare. Before you buckle up, make sure the belt isn’t going to burn your child. Keep a spray bottle of water in the car.

“The water doesn’t even have to be cool,” Jeremy explains. “The evaporation will cool down the plastic and metal quickly, making for a journey free of pain.” Wind your windows down before you get in the car which can also cool things down.

9. Aim to be on time (or early even)

This reduces the panic that sets in when you arrive at your destination and are attempting to get out of the car at record pace, absentmindedly forgetting to check the precious cargo in the back.

It happens. More often than you may think.

child in car
Image via Flickr

 


Hot Car Dangers 

Every year thousands of children (and pets) are being locked in hot cars, leaving parents distressed and children in serious danger. Even a few minutes in a hot car can be potentially deadly.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said inside a vehicle could easily be up to 30C hotter than the actual temperature, with children at most risk of serious injury or death.

The RACV’s Melinda Spiteri explains, “Younger children are more sensitive to heat compared to older children and adults as their body temperature rises up to five times faster than an older child’s.

If untreated, heatstroke can quickly damage the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles.”

For more tips on car safety in the heat, see our article on heatwave safety warnings.

Avatar of Jenna Galley

Born and raised in Canada, Jenna now lives in Far North Queensland with her tribe. When the mum-of-three is not writing, you can find her floating in the pool, watching princess movies, frolicking on the beach, bouncing her baby to sleep or nagging her older kids to put on their pants.

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