Canberrans have again been warned about the extreme dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles after a distressed three-year-old had to be rescued from a car on Monday.
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Police received a call that the child had been left in a car in Belconnen for up to 20 minutes.
By the time officers arrived a member of the public had taken the extremely distressed three-year-old out of the unlocked car.
Belconnen Patrol Sergeant David Wills said despite Monday being a relatively mild 25 degrees, children must never be left unattended in a vehicle as the temperature inside can rise dramatically.
"It's a timely reminder to all Canberrans that while summer is some way away still, a vehicle left in the sun can heat up quickly and it is dangerous to leave any children in vehicles," Sergeant Wills said.
"Common sense says that if there's any chance of danger to a child they shouldn't be left in a vehicle."
Officers ensured the child on Monday was okay, spoke to the family and issued them with a warning.
Sergeant Wills said in many instances it was not a deliberate act to leave a child in a car, they sometimes locked themselves in accidentally.
"However, it is a criminal offence to leave a child in a car in circumstances where they may come to harm and there are serious consequences, not just for the child, but for the person [who left them]," he said.
ACT Ambulance Service acting general manger Rebecca Lundy said children left in a vehicle could become dehydrated and be in danger within minutes.
"Children are highly susceptible to extreme heat and they will deteriorate rapidly if left in hot conditions," Ms Lundy said.
She said there was a risk of danger even in mild conditions and that leaving a window open had very little effect on the temperature within the car.
She said any children displaying signs of dehydration or heat stress should receive medical attention immediately.
They should be cooled down with cool, wet towels applied to their underarms and neck. If they are conscious they should be given water to drink.
Sergeant Wills said any members of the public who witness a child left unattended in a vehicle should call police.
ACT Policing received three reports of children left in cars in 2019 and three more at the start of this year.
The maximum penalty for the offence is one year in prison and/or a $15,000 fine.