Rebecca Judd warns parents against leaving kids in the car

The Victorian Government have launched an advertising campaign focussing on the harmful effects of heat on children.

No Exceptions, No Excuses highlights the risks of leaving children in cars even for a few minutes.

The campaign’s safety messages remind families and care givers that:
•A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s because of their underdeveloped immune system.
•On a typical Australian summer day, the temperature inside a parked car can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the temperature outside.
•Leaving the car windows down slightly has little effect on the inside temperature.

Families and care givers are most at risk of ‘fatal distraction’ (when a child is unintentionally left in the car with fatal consequences) if stressed, fatigued or there is a change in routine.

Drivers are advised to leave essential items such as handbags or wallets in the back seat to remind them to take their child with them.

NoExceptionsNoExcuses_1569723681

Ambulance Victoria figures show paramedics were called to 225 cases of children left in cars last month. That is just in Victoria. Every year across Australia, over 5,000 kids are left unattended in cars.

Kidsafe spokesperson Kellie Wilson said “It’s estimated that each year approximately 5000 children nationally are rescued from hot cars.”

“Seventy-five per cent of the temperature rise occurs within the first five minutes of parking the car and 90 per cent within 15 minutes,” Ms Wilson says.

In a campaign with Matt Moran, Kidsafe highlighted how easy it is to cook your dinner in a hot car. Imagine how the kids feel!

Parents or carers who leave their children unattended in a car can face fines up to $3700 and six months’ jail.

Acting Premier James Merlino said the community was being urged to take the safety message seriously.

“We continue to face hot conditions this summer – there are no excuses for leaving kids in cars,” he said.

UPDATE 13 January – Rebecca Judd backs the latest campaign

Rebecca Judd has joined the latest campaigning, urging parents not to leave their children in hot cars even if it is to get ‘a litre of milk or a loaf of bread’ as temperatures can double within just minutes inside a vehicle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmLCdpfYADo
‘I know getting kids out of cars is not the most fun of times,’ Judd told Channel Nine’s Today.
‘It can be very awkward at times but the consequences can be fatal.

‘Kids can get very sick, their little immune systems can’t deal with the heat as well as adults.

‘They can get very sick in a very short amount of time.

‘It’s just a risk we can’t take for what – a litre of milk or a loaf of bread from the shop? It’s not worth it.’

Temperatures are forecast to exceed 40 degrees on Wednesday. PLEASE don’t take the risk. Get the kids out and take them with you no matter how long the errand will take.

Share your thoughts below.

Image stock photo

18 Comments

- - Lizbef said
  - 24 Feb 2016
    12:15 pm
I can’t believe how often this happens it’s just been common sense out of the car!

- - serotonin said
  - 20 Feb 2016
    8:21 pm
It can be so much easier nipping into the chop quickly rather than getting your child out, having them run around like crazy, or being asleep etc. BUT it’s not worth losing them forever just to make your life easier. Great message.

- - Lizbef said
  - 09 Feb 2016
    5:45 pm
People need to get over the “My parents did it and I’m fine” mentality. Take your kids out of the car people!

- - mom156049 said
  - 07 Feb 2016
    11:15 pm
It seems that some people never learn. I call the police when I see children left in cars (or animals if it’s a warm day). There is no excuse for leaving children unattended.

- - mom90758 said
  - 18 Jan 2016
    5:24 pm
Very good to repeat this message again and again.

- - Lori-Anne said
  - 16 Jan 2016
    1:47 pm
Sometimes if it is not appropriate to get the child out of the car, then whatever you are stopping to get can wait. I know parents think oh I will only be a minute but a minute can be a minute to long and it never really is a minute…
Is there any law on what age this applies to? (Sometimes my 9 year old refuses to get out the car, so at what age should we allow them to make that decision for themselves, if it’s a hot day I make him get out no matter what he says).

- - aprilb1 said
  - 14 Jan 2016
    4:13 pm
I can’t believe this is still happening so frequently

- - mom165081 said
  - 13 Jan 2016
    1:09 am
Cannot agree more – children’s safety gazzumps all.
- mom94125 replied
  
  13 Jan 2016 , 9:42 pm
  yep and isn’t it sad that we need reminders. i heard to put your shoes in the back so you don’t forget baby,
- - june11 said
  - 12 Jan 2016
    10:16 pm
I would have neverr thought about putting my handbag on the back seat next to the baby. I have on a couple of occasions put it on the floor in the back while I strapped the baby in. At least it isn’t so visible to somebody walking past. Only difficulty is if the Police pull you over for a drivers license/registration check. Before baby arrived I used to push my bag under the front of the front passenger’s seat. It fitted pretty tight so it never moved if I had to brake suddenly or turn a sharp corner.

- - crystalangela said
  - 12 Jan 2016
    9:27 pm
I am glad that it is now an offence. Seriously if you don’t want to take them out of the car dont go shopping.

- - mom94125 said
  - 12 Jan 2016
    7:56 pm
i agree with trying to avoid the heat but don’t leave the kids in the car. take them into the air-con with you!

- - joye said
  - 12 Jan 2016
    3:31 pm
dont even go out anywhere when it is going to be that hot!

- - rachelvk said
  - 12 Jan 2016
    1:37 pm
It saddens me that this is still happening so regularly and that people still need to be reminded about the dangers… surely the potential consequences to a child are enough of a deterrent.

- - Nas01 said
  - 12 Jan 2016
    1:13 pm
I think criminal charges and jail time should be introduced. If it’s going to make parents open their eyes and not risk their children’s lives then I’m for it.

- - mom160421 said
  - 12 Jan 2016
    12:06 pm
Stories of the consequences of children left in hot cars are horrific. These laws are a step in the right direction. I would also add that pets should not be left in cars.

- - mom74640 said
  - 12 Jan 2016
    11:12 am
Lke ut

- - mom74640 said
  - 12 Jan 2016
    10:51 am
Lke it