As Victoria enters the busy Christmas shopping period and summer temperatures start to climb, Kidsafe Victoria is today launching it’s annual ‘Do Not Leave Children Unattended in Cars’ campaign at the Monash Children’s Hospital.

Jason Chambers, General Manager of Kidsafe Victoria, highlighted the dangers of leaving a child unattended in a car, even for a short period of time, saying “The temperature inside a parked car can be 20-30 degrees warmer than the outside temperature, which means on a typical Australian summer day, the temperature can reach over 50 to 60 degrees degrees in a matter of minutes.”

“Children are particularly at risk because they can lose fluid quickly, become dehydrated and suffer from heatstroke which can be life threatening”, said Mr Chambers.

Every year in Victoria emergency services and roadside assistance organisations respond to over a thousand callous for children left unattended in cars.

A key focus of Kidsafe Victoria’s campaign is the installation of ‘Do Not Leave Children in Cars’ car park warning signs, which are ideally suited for car parks at early childhood centres, shopping/cafe strips, sporting facilities and aquatic centres.

“These signs provide long term, daily reminders to parents and carers about the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars, while also stimulating important conversations in the community about this life threatening issue,” said Mr Chambers.

Monash Children’s Hospital is the latest organisation to partner with Kidsafe Victoria as part of the campaign, installing ‘Do Not Leave Children In Cars’ signs in prominent positions throughout their hospital car parks.

Kym Forrest, General Manager of Monash Children’s Hospital said, “With tens of thousands of visitors every year to the hospital, we support Kidsafe Victoria’s campaign and have installed their ‘Do Not Leave Children in Cars’ signage throughout the hospital car park entrances and lift foyers.”

“These signs are a visual warning for all of our visiting families, to always take your children with you when you leave a vehicle.”

“We look forward to continuing to partner with Kidsafe to help deliver their vital messages, to ensure our visitors are reminded of key child safety hazards.”

Along with encouraging other local councils, early childhood centres and community groups to install warning signs in local car parks, Kidsafe Victoria is also continuing to use social media to spread lifesaving information about the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars to parents and the wider community.

How to Join the Kidsafe Victoria’s Do Not Leave Children In Cars Campaign

● Download the poster and share on your social media accounts Do_Not_Leave_Children_In_Cars.pdf

● Further information including videos, fact sheets and order forms for the carpark signs are available at https://www.kidsafevic.com.au/road-safety/hot-cars

Moonee Valley City Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, the City of Greater Geelong, the City of Casey, Hume City Council, Wyndham City, Early Childhood Management Services (ECMS) and Brimbank Shopping Centre have all introduced Kidsafe’s Do Not Leave Children in Cars signage across their municipalities and carparks, providing a daily reminder to parents and carers about the dangers.

Media Enquiries: Jason Chambers, General Manager, Kidsafe Victoria – Mobile: 0431 447 982