Hot-car call-outs drop, but vigilance urged

NEW figures show a 14 per cent reduction in hot-car call-outs across Victoria, and while Ambulance Victoria (AV) has thanked the community for its vigilance, paramedics warn the danger remains life-threatening in high temperatures.

Over the past 12 months, AV responded to just over a thousand reports of people left in vehicles between December 2024 and November 2025.

Ambulance Victoria’s AV state manager regional emergency management Matt Coomber said the decrease was encouraging, but the numbers still showed a disturbing trend.

“A parked vehicle can become deadly in minutes. Never leave kids or elderly people in cars, even for a moment.

“Inside a car, the temperature can double in minutes. That rapid rise can cause serious injury or death long before help arrives.

“Children are especially vulnerable because their body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult.”

Paramedics were called to 1,048 cases of people locked in cars from December 1, 2024 to November 30, 2025 – down from the 1,211 cases from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024.

Most of the call-outs were in the summer months. 33 per cent (346 cases) were between December 1, 2024 and February 28, 2025.

December 2024 had the most cases (127), dropping to 65 cases in July 2025.

Of the cases where a child’s age was recorded, toddlers aged one to three years old made up the largest group, representing 67 per cent of identified child cases.

For children under 13, 11am and 4pm were the busiest times of the day for locked in car call-outs.

Coomber said many incidents occurred in everyday situations where distractions or quick mistakes led to a child being unintentionally locked in a vehicle.

“We know accidents happen. Keys get bumped, doors shut unexpectedly and children can play with locks.

“Always take children with you when you leave the car, keep keys with you and stay alert when loading or unloading family members.

“And if a child or anyone else becomes trapped, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Seconds matter.”

Kidsafe Victoria chief executive officer Sarah Sexton said families often underestimated how fast conditions inside a vehicle could escalate.

“The temperature inside a parked car can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than outside, meaning even on a day in the low twenties, a vehicle can become dangerously hot within minutes.

“Leaving a window open has little effect on the temperature inside a parked car. It’s important to always take your children with you – every single time – and never give the keys to your child to play with.”

Sexton said most hot-car emergencies occurred close to home and could happen to any family, regardless of experience or intention, with keys sometimes inadvertently locked inside the vehicle.

“It takes only a brief distraction or a quick stop for a child to be in serious danger, and the consequences can be tragic.”

For more information and advice, head to kidsafevic.com.au/road-safety/hot-cars