Four pets and kids a day rescued from cars over summer

Media
RACQ has urged Queenslanders not to become complacent with their keys, after RACQ rescued hundreds of children and animals locked in cars over the summer period.
mother holding child next to racq roadside assistance truck

Media Release

RACQ spokesperson Lucinda Ross said patrols attended 441 emergency lock ins over the past three months.

“We receive roughly four calls a day to rescue a child or animal trapped in a car, and while lock ins are usually accidental, it can be a really scary situation to be in as a parent or carer,” Ms Ross said.

“The vast majority of accidental lock ins happen when the child has been given a set of keys to play with and they’ve pressed the lock button, so it highlights the importance of keeping your keys secure. 

“On top of these emergency lock ins, we had a further 8,433 Queenslanders call RACQ for help when they locked themselves out of their vehicles.”

Ms Ross said despite some cooler months ahead, it was important parents and pet owners didn’t become complacent.

“Even though summer’s over, there’s never a safe time to leave a child or an animal unattended in a car. Temperatures can soar to deadly temperatures in just minutes here in Queensland, even if your car is parked in the shade or if the window is left ajar,” she said.

“If a person or animal is locked in a car please give us a call immediately on 13 11 11. We treat children locked in cars as the highest priority, which is why we go to the rescue anyone, whether the driver is an RACQ member or not. 

“If you’re ever concerned about the health of a child, call emergency services immediately.”

Related topics

  • The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.

    Insurance products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQ). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the PDS and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.

    Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.

    Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.

    RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.