Don't leave children unattended in a vehicle, paramedics warn
With temperatures soaring in KZN and other parts of the country, emergency services are warning motorists leaving children and animals in cars could have dire consequences.
This after five children had to be broken out of a locked car at a shopping mall in Pretoria yesterday.
According to Netcare 911's Shawn Herbst, the children, aged between four and 11 were left inside the vehicle, with no windows opened.
Herbst says the father of the children had left them in the care of a friend. He was allegedly unaware that the friend went shopping leaving his children in the locked car.
He says a member of the public managed to get a hold of the father who gave them permission to get the children out.
"Members of the public managed to get the children out by breaking a window when they noticed one of the children panicking," he says.
Herbst says paramedics then arrived on scene.
"On arrival, Netcare 911 assessed all five children and they were found to be in good health. Parents or caregivers should not leave any children or animals in the car," he says.
Paramedics say according to one of the security guards - the vehicle had been standing out in the sun for three to four hours.
Here are Netcare 911's tips of what to do in case of an emergency.
- Call for assistance by dialling 082 911.
- Act quickly.
- Move the child or dog to a cool place.
- Remove clothing.
- Help the body to cool by placing moist, cool cloths on the body ( in children - the foreheads and wrists.)
- Fan the child or dog.
- Replace lost fluids with water.
For more on this and other developing stories, here's your latest Newswatch bulletin.