As South Australia faces soaring temperatures this week, the RAA has issued an urgent reminder to drivers about child and pet safety in vehicles. With reported incidents of children and pets accidentally locked in cars increasing significantly, the organisation is stressing the importance of vigilance to prevent potentially dangerous situations.
In 2025, RAA patrols responded to nearly 800 emergency call-outs for children and pets locked in cars—showing a 26 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Specifically, there were 370 cases involving children and another 423 concerning pets. This alarming trend highlights how common and potentially life-threatening these accidents can become.
With the temperatures expected to hit and exceed 40 degrees, the risks associated with leaving loved ones in a vehicle are amplified. Car interiors can reach temperatures significantly higher than those outside, particularly when windows remain closed. Under such conditions, a car can quickly turn into a heat trap, endangering the life of any individual trapped inside.
To mitigate these risks, the RAA advises all motorists to keep their car keys with them at all times. Additionally, they recommend keeping a window open while placing children or pets in the car. These simple steps can help avoid the automatic locking of vehicles, which frequently leads to these emergencies.
The consequences of leaving pets or children in a car unattended are severe, and the use of air conditioning does not eliminate the risks associated with high temperatures.
Charles Mountain, RAA Senior Manager Road Safety shared, “We see a lot of parents accidentally lock their child in the car, often after they give them the keys to play with as they’re strapping them in their seat, but forget to take them back. Keeping your keys on you the whole time is the safest approach.
“Another option is to open a window before you load them in the car, so you know you’ll always have access even if you misplace your keys. If you do find yourself in that situation, act quickly and try to remain as calm as possible so you don’t distress your child.”
In any instance where children or pets are accidentally locked in a car, South Australians can contact RAA for immediate assistance. For life-threatening or emergent situations, call 000.
