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Hot cars
On a typical Australian summer day, the temperature inside a parked car can rise quickly and to extreme temperatures.
You may think that leaving children locked in the vehicle for only a few minutes is fine, but it is extremely dangerous.
A young child will quickly dehydrate, lapse into unconsciousness and may never fully recover.
Please be mindful and ensure wherever you go, regardless of how quickly the stop is, to always take the children with you. As stressful and time consuming as this can be, don’t put children at risk.
If you see a child or infant trapped or unattended in a car, call Triple Zero (000) for immediate assistance from both ACT Policing and ACT Ambulance Service.
It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly leave a child unattended in circumstances or for a length that could result in injury, sickness or other danger to the child. The penalty for this offence under the Crimes Act 1900 (section 39 Neglect of Children) is a maximum of two years of imprisonment and/or a fine of $32000.
More serious offences apply in the unfortunate event that a child dies.