The Department of Health has launched two new campaigns urging Victorians to stay safe from the heat and never leave kids in hot cars, following data which revealed that callouts in some months numbered more than 100 cars needing to be unlocked.
Welcoming the campaigns Survive the Heat and Never Leave Kids in Cars, the Minister for Ambulance Services, Gabrielle Williams said that last summer Ambulance Victoria paramedics were called to 410 reports to help people locked in cars across the State, with children below the age of 13 making up 92.5 per cent of all the cases.
“A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult, and the temperature inside a parked car can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than it is outside,” Ms Williams said.
“That’s why parents should always take their kids and pets with them whenever they get out of their car – just as they do with their valuables,” she said.
“Parents should also be aware that leaving the windows down has little effect on the inside temperature, with tests showing that when windows are left open 10 centimetres, the inside temperature will only reduce by five degrees.”
Ms Williams said extreme heat killed more Victorians than any other natural disaster, with heatwaves particularly dangerous when coupled with high overnight temperatures as they can interfere with the body’s natural ability to cool down.
She said heat illness could include heat cramps and heat exhaustion – which, if left untreated, could lead to heatstroke.
“Heatstroke is fatal in up to 80 per cent of cases, but it is preventable,” the Minister said.
“There are simple steps we can all take to reduce the chance of heat illness like staying hydrated; spending time in cool, air-conditioned buildings; planning ahead and keeping up to date with weather forecasts; and checking in on those most at risk in the heat like older people or young children.”
Further information on surviving the summer heat can be accessed at this PS News link and on never leaving kids in cars at this link.
