Hot cars a killer

AMBULANCE Victoria paramedics were called out 22 times to cases where children had been locked in cars last summer in Pakenham alone.
In the lead-up to the warmer months, paramedics are warning parents not to make the deadly mistake of leaving children in hot cars.
Group Manager Brett Drummond said there have been cases of children dying in hot cars in Victoria in recent years.
“Babies and young children can’t regulate their body temperature like adults can, so being left in a hot car can quickly become life threatening,” he said.
“It doesn’t have to be a scorching hot day for the car to quickly heat up.
“Tests by Ambulance Victoria found that even on a 29-degree day the inside of a car can reach 44 degrees within 10 minutes and hit 60 degrees within 20 minutes.”
Paramedics were called out 17 times in Berwick, three in Beaconsfield and once in Officer last summer.
Mr Drummond said leaving children in the car was unacceptable.
“Some people think they can just duck into the shop and leave their child but there’s a risk they will be delayed and it’s a risk that’s not worth taking,” he said.
“It’s also common for keys to be accidentally locked in the car with the child.
“About 21 per cent of cases occurred outside a house.
“We urge parents to be mindful and keep the keys in their hand while they are getting children and shopping in and out of the car.”