THE NRMA is urging people to be vigilant this summer after seeing an increase in the number of kids and pets having to be rescued from cars.
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NRMA data revealed October to be the busiest month so far in 2020 for Roadside Assistance callouts to rescue babies and children locked inside vehicles, with 164 calls in NSW and the ACT.
Over the past 12 months, more than 1,500 babies and children and more than 1,400 animals have been rescued by NRMA Roadside Assistance patrols.
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Bathurst has not been immune from the problem.
Four kids have had to be rescued so far this financial year, which is twice the number in the 2019-20 financial year and equal to 2018-19.
Orange has also had four kids rescued since July, while Dubbo has had two.
Dubbo recorded the same number for the whole of 2019-20, well down from the 16 recorded in 2018-19.
Eleven kids were rescued last financial year in Orange, while there was seven in the 2018-19 financial year.
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After undertaking its own experiments, the NRMA has warned that it doesn't take long for temperatures to rise in a locked car.
"On the 28 degree day the inside temperature reached 48 degrees but our camera overheated at 45.5 degrees and stopped working - fortunately this was an experiment and not a real-life scenario with a child in that seat," road safety expert Dimitra Vlahomitros said.
"Parents need to be reminded that although it's tempting to leave the kids in the car while quickly grabbing a coffee or paying for petrol, the risk of an accidental lock-in is too serious. If a child is stuck inside a car while the temperature is rapidly rising, they can very quickly become distressed, dehydrated and even die from organ failure."
NRMA Roadside Patrol Kosta Karavanas suggested people open the windows before putting anything in the car, to pocket keys before buckling kids in, or put keys on the roof to prevent kids and pets being locked inside.
If a child or pet is trapped, contact the NRMA on 13 11 22. They will respond immediately for both members and non-members.
"As soon as a call is made to the NRMA about a child locked in a car it's immediately put to the top of our job list, regardless of whether they are Members or not, and we'll get the car open within minutes," Mr Karavanas said.
