Kidsafe

Kidsafe Victoria today said the weather forecast for scorching temperatures in the high 30s and early 40s this long weekend could prove fatal for children left unattended in cars.

Kidsafe Victoria General Manager, Jason Chambers, said, "the temperature inside a parked car can be 20-30 degrees hotter than outside - on a typical summer day, the inside temperature can reach a deadly 60 degrees in a matter of minutes."

New figures from Ambulance Victoria show that Paramedics were called to 225 incidents involving children left unattended in cars during December 2017 alone.

"If you are heading out on a trip with the children and you have to leave the car, always take them with you. It could save their life," said Mr Chambers.

Toddler drowning is also high on the agenda with thousands of BBQ's and pool parties expected to be held across the State over the long weekend.

"Toddlers can drown quickly and silently which is why it is so important that they are actively supervised by an adult in and around water - this means having an adult within arm's reach at all times." 

"Backyard pools are the most common location where toddlers drown. At parties and celebrations with lots of people around, adults can sometimes think someone else is watching the children around the pool, when in fact, nobody may be supervising them," said Mr Chambers.