why are children at risk?
In Australia, especially in summer, the inside of a parked car becomes very hot - up to 307 higher than the outside temperature. Children can be dehydrated, delirious, unconscious and may even die if left in unsupervised cars in hot weather.
Children are also at risk around moving cars because they:
- cannot understand danger
- focus on just one thing at a time (eg. chasing a ball onto a road)
- have tunnel vision and may be unaware of approaching cars
- are often hidden from drivers by roadside shrubs
- can't easily be seen by reversing drivers
On every trip, all children should be restrained in a seatbelt, capsule or other child restraint, suitable for their height and weight - and correctly installed.