RACQ’s urgent safety warning as heatwave grips Qld
As temperatures soar across parts of Queensland, RACQ is pleading with motorists not to be complacent and keep their car keys close to avoid locking a loved one or pet inside a hot vehicle.
RACQ research found the temperature inside a typical car parked outside can increase by 10 degrees within just 10 minutes*.
Club spokesperson Kate Leonard-Jones said RACQ patrols responded to more than 1,700 incidents of children and pets locked in vehicles last year.
“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 very scary and life-threatening situation,” Ms Leonard-Jones 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.”
Ms Leonard-Jones said it was important parents and pet owners didn’t become complacent.
“The temperature in a car can skyrocket very quickly even if your car is parked in the shade or if the window is left ajar,” she said.
“We’re asking drivers to pay extra attention to what you’re doing and don’t leave car keys laying around or give them to children.
“If a person or animal is locked in a car please call us immediately on 13 11 11.
“We treat children locked in cars as the highest priority, which is why we go to the rescue of anyone in this situation, whether the driver is an RACQ member or not.
“If you’re concerned about the health of a child, call emergency services on 000 immediately.”
*Test was conducted in February 2022 in a dark coloured vehicle.