Watch out for kids or pets locked in cars this summer
RACQ has issued a summer safety warning to never leave children or animals unattended in a vehicle after responding to 1,740 lock-in emergencies across Queensland in the past year.
General Manager Assistance and Automotive Mark Boswell said motorists must be aware of the danger with above average temperatures predicted for the summer.
“RACQ patrols rescued 799 children and 776 animals locked in vehicles in the past 12 months alone – on average that is two kids and two animals locked in a vehicle every day,” Mr Boswell said.
“While many of these cases are accidental, there are things you can do to avoid the risk.
“You should never leave children or pets alone in the car, always keep your keys on you and don’t give them to your child to play with.
“The most common scenario our patrols see is the parent has given the child the keys to play with while they load items into the car.”
Mr Boswell warned temperatures in locked vehicles can quickly reach dangerous levels.
“In summer, cabin temperatures can exceed 40 degrees in around 30 minutes,” he said.
“That is a dangerous temperature threshold for humans and animals, which could have deadly consequences.”
Mr Boswell said RACQ patrols respond to vehicle lock-ins as the highest priority.
“Accidentally locking your child or pet in a car can be an extremely stressful situation and we often find people waste time trying to work out what to do or who to call,” he said.
“If a person or animal is locked in a vehicle, please call RACQ Roadside Assistance on 13 11 11.
“Our patrols can successfully unlock most cars within minutes using vehicle-specific methods.
“We provide this service to Queenslanders, regardless of whether you’re a member.
“If you’re concerned about the health of a child, call emergency services immediately.”
RACQ recently presented its expertise on this topic to a United Nations Working Group on Children Left in Vehicles to help address the issue on a global scale.
Top regions for RACQ emergency lock-in responses (September 2023 - October 2024):
|
Region |
Lock-in responses |
|
Brisbane |
351 |
|
Gold Coast |
220 |
|
Moreton Bay |
176 |
|
Sunshine Coast |
164 |
|
Logan |
104 |
|
Fraser Coast, Gympie |
99 |
|
Darling Downs South West |
88 |
|
Far North Queensland |
76 |
|
Ipswich |
73 |
|
Central Queensland |
68 |
|
Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday |
68 |
|
Bundaberg-Burnett |
64 |
|
North Queensland |
64 |
|
Redland |
43 |
|
Noosa |
40 |
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