09/01/2026
⚠️ EXTREME HEAT WARNING ⚠️
🚫 NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN OR PETS IN A LOCKED CAR
As some hot weather is upon us today, sometimes common sense isn’t around when it comes to leaving children and pets in a lock car.
Never leave your child or fur babies alone in the car.
It may be easy for even the most loving and well meaning parent or carer to think, “I’ll just be a few minutes”, and leave then in the car with the window down a bit. But even this has serious health risks for both children and animals.
Shopping and running errands with children can be frustrating. In the case of babies and younger children, there can be added exasperation when you realise that your child has fallen asleep, just as you get to your destination and find that elusive car parking space.
Few people are aware of how little time it takes for the inside of a car to reach dangerously high temperatures, even with the window slightly open
🔥 The temperature inside a parked car can be as much as 30 to 40 degrees hotter than the outside temperature. So tomorrow the temperature inside a car could be as high as 70 degrees Celsius.
75% of temperature rise occurs within 5 minutes of closing the car and leaving it.
Having the windows down 5 centimetres causes only a slight temperature drop, for example, from 78 degrees in a closed car to 70 degrees in a car with the windows down 5 centimetres.
The temperature inside the car begins to rise as does the humidity, while the airflow decreases.
As the temperature rises, children begin to develop heat stress (hyperthermia) and also to dehydrate. Young children are more sensitive to heat than older children or adults and are at greater risk of heatstroke. The younger the child, the faster the onset of heatstroke and dehydration. Hyperthermia, dehydration and asphyxia can all lead to death.
Remember: leaving a animal or child/young person in a motor vehicle without proper supervision is not only dangerous but also illegal.
What you need to do
When it comes to seeing someone else’s child or pet locked in a car, many of us are unsure of how to act. Do we head off to try and find the owner of the vehicle? Do we leave a note if it’s an animal? Do we start smashing windows if it’s a child? Here are the best ways to respond in such situations.
Also be aware of the hot pavements and roads. Walking your fur babies on hot surfaces can seriously injure their paws. Just think, if it’s too hot for you it’s too hot for them.
1. If it is a child in the car, you can call 📞 NRMA on 13 1111.
You DO NOT have to be the owner of the car or a member in order to use this free service.
2. If it is an animal in the car, call 📱 the RSPCA animal hotline on 1300 ANIMAL (264 625).
3. If the child or animal is hot, in distress or in need of urgent help, call ☎️ 000 immediately and ask for the police 🚓
The police will advise you on whether you need to break a window yourself or wait for them to take care of it. The police will also call an ambulance if necessary.
4. If you are in a car park & there is a carpark attendant or security personnel at the venue where the car is parked, you can also ask them for assistance while you wait for help to arrive.
So stay try to stay cool tomorrow Coasties and if possible check on your elderly family, friends and neighbours.
As always, STAY SAFE 🙏
