The temperature inside a parked car can double in minutes.
Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a parked car can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the temperature outside.
Heat can cause illnesses such as heat cramps and heat exhaustion or lead to heatstroke, which is fatal in up to 80 per cent of cases; however, heatstroke is entirely preventable.
Those most at risk are older people, young children and people with a medical condition.
A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult.
The latest data on Ambulance Victoria call outs to people locked in cars shows:
• Paramedics were called to 1228 cases of people locked in cars from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022.
• Most of the call outs were in the summer months. Some 33.4 per cent — or 410 cases — were between December 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022.
• December 2021 had the most cases (165), dropping to 75 cases in June 2022.
• Of concern is that numbers are rising, with 113 cases last month.
• Thankfully, treatment is most often not required. Of the 1228 call outs, paramedics treated 198 patients at the scene and transported just 15 to hospital.
• Children below the age of 13 represent 92.5 per cent of cases reported.
• Toddlers aged one to three make up the most cases — or 62.2 per cent.
• For children under 13, 11am was the busiest time of the day for locked-in-car call outs.
Ambulance Victoria urges people to remember that heatstroke is a life-threatening condition, so don’t hesitate to call an ambulance.
If you or someone else is experiencing seizures, confusion or stroke-like symptoms, collapsing or is unconscious, contact 000 immediately.
If you are feeling unwell, call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24, see your doctor or local pharmacist.
If you’ve got a pre-existing health condition, take extra care. Make sure you keep up your regular health checks with your GP or specialist and that your medicines are up to date over summer.
For more information on staying safe in the heat, visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au
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