Never leave kids in cars

Leaving kids in cars kills. Check every seat, check every time.

This campaign prompts parents to take their kids with them whenever they get out of the car, just as they do their everyday valuables to avoid potentially tragic consequences.

Dangers of leaving kids in cars

Children can die in hot cars and the risk is highest in summer. The temperature inside a parked car can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the temperature outside.

Babies and children are far more sensitive to the heat. A child’s body temperature rises 3 to 5 times faster than an adult.

Babies and children are at greater risk of life-threatening heat stroke, brain injury, heart and lung failure, dehydration, and death due to heat.

Parents and drivers should always take the kids with them whenever they get out of their car. Drivers should check every car set and check every time before locking the car.

Leaving the windows down has little effect on the inside temperature of the car. Large cars heat up as quickly as smaller cars.

Prevent fatal distraction

There are some steps that people can work into their daily routines to help lower the risk of accidentally leaving a child in a hot car and to avoid potentially tragic consequences:

• every time you leave the car repeat out loud to yourself: “check every seat, check every time” and actively complete this checking routine
• leave a bag, phone or wallet in the back seat of the car as a reminder to check every car seat
• place a child’s bag or cuddly toy in the front seat as a reminder to check every car seat
• install electronic controls that create an audio reminder to check every car seat.

Cost to families

In Victoria, it is against the law to leave a child unattended in a car. Penalties include:

• fines
• up to six months' jail.

However, the cost to families can be far higher. Children can die in hot cars and the risk is highest in summer.