As the state heads towards 36 degrees today, Kidsafe Victoria has released a statewide RED ALERT to parents over the high level of drowning risk to toddlers in homes storing water in buckets or wheelie bins.

Kidsafe and the Metropolitan Fire & Emergency Services Board (MFB) urge families to use the holiday time to practice their fire escape plan with their children. This is particularly important during the summer holidays as risk of bushfire is heightened and families may be on holidays in unfamiliar destinations.

As the summer holiday season heats up, Acting Premier Rob Hulls has warned parents about the dangers of leaving young children unattended in cars.

Mr Hulls joined Kidsafe Victoria at Parliament House to demonstrate how quickly the inside temperature of a car can increase to dangerous levels.