'Alarming rise' of children, pets locked in vehicles -- AA

  • 10/02/2016
(iStock)
(iStock)

The Automobile Association (AA) says there's been an "alarming rise" in the number of children and pets being locked inside cars this summer.

Its roadside emergency crews were called to more than 200 rescues in December and January -- a 20 percent increase on the same period last year.

"These types of lockouts are happening far more often that people think," says AA National Roadservice Manager John Healy.

He says last year, they had to attend more than 15000 emergency call-outs where a child or pet was locked in a car.

The AA says there needs to be greater awareness around the risks of leaving a child or pet in a warm, locked car.

"The best thing you can do is never leave your kids or pets locked in the car, no matter what," Mr Healy says.

Newshub.