Paramedics were called out to 45 incidents of children being left in locked cars in Melton last year.
Ambulance Victoria has issued a stern warning to parents and carers, reminding them of the deadly consequences of a split-second decision to leave children in a car alone.
Melton West had the highest number of such incidents in the municipality, at 11, followed by Melton (9) and then Hillside, Melton South and Taylors Hill (four).
State health commander Paul Holman said people don’t seem to be listening to the warnings about the risks involved in leaving children in hot cars.
Ambulance Victoria testing has found that on a 29-degree day, the interior of a car can reach 44 degrees in 10 minutes, and 60 degrees within 20 minutes.
“It is never OK to leave a child in a car,” Mr Holman said. “Even if you’re just ducking into the shops, you might get distracted or bump into someone you know, and time can tick away much quicker than you realise.
“Given how much education there is about the dangers of leaving children in cars, it is disappointing that some people still decide to take that risk.”
Statewide, paramedics were called to 1562 incidents, with 80 per cent involving a toddler and eight per cent a newborn. Of these, 15 children were transported to hospital.
Narre Warren (30), Pakenham (27) and Preston (25) rounded out the top three suburbs for children left in cars.
“You wouldn’t get out of the car after shopping and leave your ice cream in the back seat – so why would you leave your children there?” Mr Holman asked.
