More babies locked in cars at Browns Plains than any other Queensland suburb, says RACQ

The data reveals 15 infants were found locked in Browns Plains vehicles from June 1 2017 and May 31 2018, up from 11 the year earlier.

The Logan suburb compares with the worst in the state including North Lakes (14) in Brisbane’s north and  Robina (13) in the Gold Coast.

Two babies were left locked in cars at Jimboomba, Yarrabilba and Tamborine while one was reported at Park Ridge, Greenbank and Boronia Heights.

These statistics hit home for Jimboomba foster parent Teresa Taylor who said people needed to take better care of their kids.

“Quite often I see it and you just feel so angry to see them left there and it is the same with animals,” she said.

“I have even seen it (at the Jimboomba Shopping Centre). People quite often say we are just racing in to get something. It only takes a split second for a child to turn on a car or undo the brake.”

RACQ spokesperson Renee Smith said it was alarming to see 1201 babies reported locked in vehicles over the past 12 months state wide.

 “Shockingly, on average, our patrols are called to rescue more than three children from locked cars in Queensland every day,” Ms Smith said.

“Most of these are accidental lock-ins and happen when Mum or Dad give the child a set of keys to play with, and they then press the lock button – it’s a frightening thought for any parent.”

While winter is the coldest time of the year, Ms Smith warned children were still at risk of death or serious injury. 

“Even though it’s winter, there’s still no safe time to leave a child unattended in a car. Especially here in Queensland where our testing shows temperatures inside the car can rise by 10 degrees in just eight minutes – even if your car’s parked in the shade or a window’s left open,” she said.

Anyone who notices a child locked in a car can report the incident to emergency services (000) and RACQ on (13 11 11).