Kidsafe Victoria, in partnership with the City of Wyndham, today launched the 2016/17 Children Left Unattended in Cars Campaign, to raise awareness of the dangers of leaving children in cars and reduce the number of incidents across the state.

Left: Cr Mia Shaw and Cr Kim McAliney from Wyndham City Council; Jason Chambers, General Manager Kidsafe Victoria,
 and children from the Hoppers Crossing Children's Centre with the Do Not Leave Children in Cars signs this morning.

The campaign launch comes at a vital time leading into summer and the busy Christmas shopping period. Wyndham City Councillor Mia Shaw, responsible for the Family Friendly Cities portfolio, said with eighty three babies a week being born in Wyndham, the City has adopted the Kidsafe Do Not Leave Children in Cars signage program across all 24 kindergartens in the municipality.

"With every City of Wyndham Kindergarten having a Kidsafe Do Not Leave Children in Cars warning sign on their front door, parents and carers will be constantly exposed to the life saving message at least twice a day," Cr Shaw said.

Kidsafe Victoria General Manager, Jason Chambers, said the temperature inside a parked car can be 20-30 degrees hotter than outside, meaning that on a typical summer day, the temperature inside a parked car can reach over 50 degrees in a matter of minutes.

"Babies and small children are particularly at risk because they can lose fluid quickly, become dehydrated and suffer from heatstroke which can be life threatening."

Staff, parents, Wyndham City Councillors, Kidsafe Victoria and children from the Hoppers Crossing Children's Centre
with the Do Not Leave Children in Cars signage this morning.

Mr Chambers said working with the City of Wyndham, which had one of the fastest growing populations in Australia, is a major boost to this year's campaign and efforts to raise awareness of this important issue.

The partnership between City of Wyndham and Kidsafe Victoria will see an extensive communication program, including signage, social media and online activities, implemented to raise awareness amongst the local community.

Following a number of child deaths and several years of campaigning, Victorian legislation now makes leaving a child unattended in a car a criminal offence.

How to Join the KIDSAFE Do Not Leave Children in Cars Campaign
http://www.kidsafevic.com.au/road-safety/hot-cars/do-not-leave-children-in-cars-campaign

Download the Graphic and share on your social media accounts www.kidsafevic.com.au/images/pdfs/hotcars.pdfhotcars.pdf

Include this link to the FREE Kidsafe Fact Sheet for parents to download.

Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Media Communications, Kidsafe Victoria - Mobile: 0417 329 201