The danger of leaving children locked in a hot car | RACT

The RACT is urging parents not to leave children in locked cars after rescuing more than 80 children from vehicles between October last year and September.

The  Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania (RACT) is urging parents not to leave children in locked cars in summer after rescuing more than 80 children from parked vehicles between October last year and September.

In the same period the RACT rescued 84 pets who had been locked in parked cars in hot weather.

Executive general manager for membership and community Stacey Pennicott said the temperature inside a parked car on a summer's day could be 30C-40C hotter than outside the car.

Ms Pennicott said on a day like yesterday, when the forecast temperature in Hobart was 24C, the temperature in a car parked in the sun could be as high as 65C.

"Research shows that the inside of a car can reach 78C in a closed car and 70C in a car with open windows," she said.

"As the temperature inside a car increases, any child locked in that vehicle can begin to develop heat stress and start to dehydrate.

"In addition, young children are more sensitive to heat than older children or adults, meaning they can be at greater risk."

The RACT also said:

Darker cars could reach slightly higher temperatures.

Tinted windows made little difference.

Having the windows down 5cm causes only the slightest decrease in temperature.

Ms Pennicott said if contacted about a child locked in a vehicle, the RACT would obtain the location of the car so a patrol could be arranged.

"We will then make a decision as quickly as possible about the need to involve Tasmania Police or ambulance services," she said.