Paramedics urge Victorians to be summer smart

December 21, 2023 | in News

Ambulance Victoria (AV) is urging the community to never leave kids or elderly people in cars and take simple, preventative steps to beat the heat this summer.

Worryingly, paramedics were called to more than 310 reports of people locked in cars in the past three months and a total of 1,240 call outs from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023.

The temperature inside a vehicle can double and become deadly within minutes. It is particularly dangerous for children to be left inside vehicles, as a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult.

Last summer saw a drop in cases, however, in spring this year paramedics responded to more cases of people locked in cars compared to the previous spring.

High temperatures also increase the risk of causing serious heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Tragically, heat stroke is fatal in up to 80 per cent of cases yet entirely preventable. Most at risk are elderly people, young children and those with medical conditions.

Heat and heat-related illnesses can affect anybody, especially if you’re not prepared or haven’t taken preventative action.

Remember, Triple Zero (000) is for emergencies and if you are feeling unwell, you can contact the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, visit a Priority Primary Care Centre, call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24 or see your doctor or local pharmacist.

How to beat the heat and stay safe this summer:

Stay hydrated by drinking water regularly throughout the day.
Supervise children and keep an eye on friends around bodies of water.
Keep cool by using air conditioning and fans whenever possible.
Wear a hat and sunscreen and avoid being outside during the hottest time of day.
Heat can cause illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Heat stroke is fatal in up to 80 per cent of cases but is entirely preventable.
Those most at risk are elderly people, young children and those with medical conditions.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. If you or someone else is experiencing symptoms such as confusion, seizures, collapsing or loss of consciousness, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Latest AV data on people left in vehicles (1 December 2022 – 30 November 2023)

Paramedics were called to 1,240 cases of people locked in cars from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023. This has remained steady compared to 1,228 cases last year.
Most call outs were in summer and autumn with 45.6 per cent – or 565 cases – from 1 December 2022 to 30 April 2023.
December 2022 had the most cases (125), dropping to 82 cases in June 2023.
Of concern, numbers are already rising with 109 cases last month.
Thankfully, treatment is most often not required. Of the 1,240 call outs, paramedics treated 186 patients at the scene and transported just 10 to hospital.
Children below the age of 13 (newborns, pre-schoolers, primary schoolers and toddlers) represent 93.6 per cent of cases reported.
Toddlers aged 1 to 3 make up the most cases – or 62.8 per cent.

For children under 13, 2pm was the busiest time of the day for locked in car call outs.