Parents reminded that hot cars are deadly

Emergency services are urging people to avoid leaving kids and animals in cars this summer as Mornington recorded the highest number of ambulance call outs for the area.

Ambulance Victoria figures showed they were called out 11 times for kids and adults locked in cars in Mornington for the year to August 2014. Mt Martha had six call outs, while paramedics were requested five times in Somerville and Hastings.

Paramedics responded to four requests over that year in Mt Eliza, Dromana and Rosebud. Rosebud Fire Brigade acting station officer Mark Flower said the main thing was not to lock kids, animals or the elderly in cars.

He said if it did happen it was critical that people called for help immediately. "If it does happen, call someone straight away," he said.

Don't be embarrassed to call because the cabin of the car can heat up very quickly

"Don't be embarrassed to call because the cabin of the car can heat up very quickly. The sooner you call for help the sooner help will arrive." Senior station officer Thornton said people needed to take extra care as they entered holiday mode.

"People make mistakes so they should be vigilant and take care," he said. Many incidents involved a parent leaving their kids with the key while loading shopping into the car, when the door would accidentally shut and lock.

Ambulance Victoria group manager Brett Drummond said leaving children in a car could prove deadly. "Tragically there have been cases of children dying in hot cars in Victoria in recent years," he said. "Being left in a hot car can quickly become life threatening for babies and young children as they can't regulate their body temperature like adults can." 

Kidsafe Victoria project manager Jason Chambers said young children were particularly at risk as their body temperature could reach dangerous levels very quickly. "A young child's body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult's does, placing them at greater risk of life threatening heatstroke, dehydration and other health risks," he said.