13 FebWhat can your service do about children left in cars?

Posted on 13 Feb 2024

ELAA’s Road Safety Education team have recently been contacted by services who have concerns about families leaving children in cars while they drop off or pick up other children. Often these children that are being left are of school age. The concerns regarding this have been heightened given the hot temperatures we have been experiencing. However, this is not an issue to only be concerned about during the hotter months. 

So, what can you do to help?  

• Get in early. When families attend your service for inspections, interviews, and orientation you can mention that your service requires families to not leave any children in cars, regardless of their age. You can also talk about parking issues and processes that you may have at your service. 
• If you know parents have several very young children and that drop off and pick up times are going to be difficult, talk to them about what can be done to help them with the situation.  
• You can put up posters and signs to warn parents not to leave their children in cars. KidSafe have an ECEC community awareness kit that you can purchase by CLICKING HERE. 
• Make sure your Delivery and Collection of Children Policy mentions that children are not to be left in cars, regardless of age. 
• You can talk to your local police Proactive Unit to see if they would come out and speak to families. 
• You could even talk to parents about their job as role models and practicing safe behaviours so that their children can learn about making safer choices. 
• Let parents know leaving a child unattended in a car is potentially life threatening and an offence in Victoria under the ‘Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (section 494 – Offence to leave a child unattended). The penalties for leaving a child unattended in a car in Victoria include a fine (currently $3,690), a maximum of 6 months jail, or both. 

These are just a few ideas that you could implement. 

If you want more information on Road Safety Education, go to our website www.childroadsafety.org.au.