The Victorian Government has teamed up with Rebecca Judd, 32, to raise awareness about the problem after a 40 per cent spike in incidents in December 2015 compared to December 2014.
Judd, who has two children with her AFL champion husband Chris Judd, said the campaign was close to her heart.
“As the mum of two little people, I think a lot about how to keep my kids safe,” Judd told Mamamia.
“I’d heard the stats earlier this summer about the staggering numbers of kids left alone in cars, and was really shocked. I just want to do my bit to get the message out about how dangerous leaving kids in cars is.”
Judd said she never leaves her two children Oscar and Billie in the car, even if she is just popping into the shops.
“It’s a tricky one because I know the temptation: the baby is asleep, the toddler is crabby – there’s no getting around the fact that it’s no fun task,” she said.
“But it’s just not worth the risk. For me, it’s a bit of awkwardness weighed against keeping my kids safe and well. The winner is clear.”
She said she has a system in place to try and keep the kids entertained and make sure she never forgets to take them with her.
“Shopping with kids is always a challenge. I try to keep our trips short so they don’t get bored. Playing games or getting them to help me look for the various items around the supermarket usually keeps my kids entertained,” Judd said.
“When I’m getting out of the car, I grab my keys first, then my oldest Oscar and then little Billie.”
Watch what happens to piece of lamb in a hot car:
Judd encouraged parents to take a pledge on the issue, saying she hopes her involvement with the campaign will help raise awareness about the seriousness of leaving your kids in the car.
“On Instagram, I’ve pledged to #neverleavekidsincars. I’d encourage other parents out there to do the same to help spread the message,” she said.
According to Ambulance Victoria, emergency services were called out to 225 incidents involving children being left in hot cars in December 2015.
According to Kidsafe, over 5000 children are left in cars across Australia every year.
In 2013, 2200 children were rescued from cars in New South Wales.
In Queensland three to five cases are reported every day.
Top Comments
This seems like such a weird pledge to make - never to leave your child in the car. If course I won't; it's common sense. For me it'd be as redundant as pledging not to eat glass or something equally absurd.
But, as it's still happening, I suppose there needs to be more advertising of the effects on small children and animals being locked in cars :(
Hope Bec Judd passes this message on to her nanny