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1,870 Kids Rescued From Cars


1,870 Kids Rescued From Cars

Author: NRMA MediaDate: 25 January 2008

As the mercury continues to soar this summer, parents and carers are being warned about the dangers of leaving children in hot cars after NRMA patrols were forced to rescue 1,870 children last year.

NRMA Motoring & Services director Dawn Fraser said on a typical Australian summer day the temperature inside a parked car can be at least 30ºC to 40ºC warmer than outside.

"On the hottest days the temperature inside a car can reach around 80 degrees," Ms Fraser said.

"As a grandmother, I would call on everyone caring for children this summer to heed our warning that leaving a child in a hot car can be deadly.

"NRMA patrol officers rescued more than 1,870 babies and children locked in cars in the 12 months to 30 June 2007. Most children were accidentally locked in cars by their parents, siblings or through their own interference with the car locking system.

"At all times, especially in summer, the NRMA drops everything to respond to these calls because of the grave dangers involved.

"In scorching summer temperatures, there is no mercy from the oven-like conditions that build up inside a parked vehicle.

"A child left in a hot parked car can very quickly become distressed, dehydrated and can easily die from organ failure. Leaving the window partially down is no solution."

Ms Fraser said a child should not be left in a car for any reason, even for small errands such as quickly popping into the shops.

"There is never a safe time to leave your children in the car," Ms Fraser said.

Anyone who sees a child locked in a car should immediately call the NRMA on 13 11 11, emergency services on 000 or the DoCS Helpline on 132 111.

If the child is distressed do not wait for help, instead smash a window and remove the child from the vehicle until help arrives.

NRMA offers information kits to early childhood centres across NSW. Brochures are reproduced in several languages and are distributed to non-English speaking communities.

Heat, cars and kids

The interior of a closed car can reach 65 degrees in direct sunlight which can result in an infant's body temperature climbing from its normal 38C to 42C. At this temperature an infant stops sweating to preserve body fluids.

Perspiration is the body's airconditioning system - as it evaporates the skin is cooled. By not sweating, an infant's blood supply to the major organs - including the brain, heart, liver and kidneys - is restricted causing permanent damage. Death can result.

What happens inside your car

Temperature outside    Temperature inside a car*
20ºC 50º - 60ºC
30ºC 60º - 70ºC
40ºC 70º - 80ºC
45ºC 75º - 85ºC

* Estimated temperatures only. The temperature inside a car ran rise between 30-40 degrees above the outside temperature.

Kids in hot cars brochure (PDF 164KB/2 pages)

Motoring testimony image

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