Leaving children unattended in a vehicle can result in serious injury or death.
The temperature inside a parked vehicle on a typical Australian summer day can be up to 30 degrees hotter than the outside temperature.
In as little as 5 minutes, the temperature in a vehicle can reach dangerous levels.
A child's body temperature rises 3 to 5 times faster than an adult's and the impact of heat on a child's body is almost immediate and can be fatal.
A child left unaccounted for in a vehicle is also unprotected and vulnerable to danger, particularly in an emergency situation.
It only takes one shortcut on safety to have devastating, lifelong consequences.
Children face serious danger if left unattended in a vehicle.
Create a life-saving routine and keep young children safe.
Look Before You Lock. Every Single Time.
Create a Look Before You Lock routine.
Building simple steps into your daily routine can help you to avoid unintentionally leaving a child in a vehicle.
Discuss your Look Before You Lock routine with every person who drives your child. This includes partners, grandparents, babysitters and friends.
Be extra alert if your routine changes to avoid unintentionally leaving your child in your vehicle.
Importantly, if you accidentally lock your child in a car, or you come across a child left unattended in a vehicle:
Children in your care should not be left unattended in a vehicle.
Not even for a moment.
Every day, families across Queensland rely on early childhood services and transport operators to transport their children safely.
Services that transport children must be vigilant of the dangers of leaving children in vehicles and have strategies in place to manage the risks and protect children in their care.
Training and policies and procedures regarding transporting children should be reviewed regularly. Routine safety practices, such as ensuring records are up-to-date, roll checks, head counts and physical vehicle inspections, should be undertaken consistently and without exception.
Resources and communication materials are available to promote the importance of the Look Before You Lock message.
Services can also order stickers and resources to be mailed out.
Postcard for services to print and share this important message with parents translated into the following languages: