A one-year-old girl has tragically died after being mistakenly left in a car for the entire day in Sydney’s south-west. New South Wales Police have expressed their sorrow over the incident, saying it is “impossible” to fathom the pain the parents must be going through.
Emergency services were called to a childcare centre on Marana Road in Earlwood, about 12 kilometers south-west of Sydney’s CBD, at approximately 5:35 pm on Tuesday. They arrived after reports that a child had been found unresponsive inside a vehicle. Despite the efforts of paramedics, the young girl was declared dead at the scene.
Media reports suggest the child’s father had gone to pick her up from the centre but was horrified to realize he had not dropped her off in the morning. As a result, the child had spent the entire day locked inside the car. Temperatures in Earlwood reached 30°C on Tuesday, with the heat inside the vehicle likely much higher.
At a press conference, Superintendent Christine McDonald warned about the dangers of leaving children in vehicles. “Leaving a child in a vehicle at any time is dangerous,” she stated. “Leaving them inside for an extended period can be deadly.”
While police quickly established a crime scene, Superintendent McDonald indicated that early investigations suggested the child had been left in the vehicle for several hours on a hot day. While it has not been confirmed that the father left the child behind, a man believed to be related to the girl is assisting police with their inquiries. He was reportedly taken to the hospital after experiencing shock.
This incident follows a similar tragedy two years ago when three-year-old Arikh Hasan died after being left in a car in Sydney’s southwest as temperatures climbed to 34°C.
To help prevent tragedies like this from occurring, here are some practical tips for parents and caregivers:
- Create a Routine Check: Always check the back seat before you leave your car, even if you think you’ve dropped off your child. Make it a habit to look behind you before locking the car.
- Place a Visual Reminder: Keep a small item with you, like a bag or a personal item, that you need to move from the front seat to the back seat when you have a child in the car. This will act as a physical reminder to check before you exit the vehicle.
- Set Phone Alerts: Use reminders on your phone or an app to send you an alert to check the back seat when you’re dropping off your child at daycare or school. You can also set recurring reminders during high-stress times.
- Communicate with Others: If someone else is involved in childcare duties, such as a partner or relative, make sure you are both on the same page. Notify each other about who is dropping off or picking up the child.
- Use Technology in the Car: Some car manufacturers offer technology that alerts drivers if a child is left in the back seat. Alternatively, consider purchasing a car safety device that can alert you when you exit the car if a child is still inside.
- Keep a ‘Child Check’ System: When you drop your child off at daycare or school, make it a practice to check the child’s name off a checklist. If you’re using a carpool system, check that the child has been dropped off with the right person.
- Stay Calm and Slow Down: Rushing can make it easy to forget important steps, like checking the back seat. Slow down, focus, and take your time when getting out of the car.
- Establish a Car Safety Habit: Always keep your car locked when not in use, and never leave a child unattended in the car, even for a short period. In warmer weather, temperatures inside a car can quickly reach dangerous levels, even on mild days.
By incorporating these safety habits into your routine, you can reduce the risk of such tragedies and keep children safe.
