600 kids locked in cars

MORE than 600 children have been rescued from locked vehicles in Queensland already this year.

The figure has prompted police to issue a warning that parents will be charged if they leave kids in unattended cars.

Research from RACQ, to be released today, shows that the Gold Coast is responsible for 92 child rescues from locked cars since January 1.

The RACQ has warned that temperatures can soar to 40C in cars, even in winter. “That’s one hundred times every month, or roughly three times a day where our patrols are being called to help free a child trapped inside a vehicle,” RACQ spokeswoman Lauren Ritchie said. “Parents need to know there’s never an acceptable time or reason to leave a child in a car.”

So far this year RACQ has rescued 602 children, compared with just over 590 rescues by this time last year.