Several welfare societies and medical authorities have warned against parents leaving their children in cars, even for a short period. The heat wave currently faced by the nation is regarded as a life-threatening event, and should not be taken lightly by anyone.
In a report by The Star, Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah of the Medical Practitioners Coalition Association said that the act should not be done at all. “When a child is placed in the vehicle during a heat wave, the child may suffer from heat stroke or heat exhaustion. But the ability for one to cope with heat varies,” he explained.
Echoing the sentiment, Zuhami Omar, director of the Selangor Welfare Society contributed further. “School teachers should also take note of conducting outdoor activities during this period,” he said, with an eye on how often school children stand in the sun waiting to be picked up to go home.
“When a child is left unsupervised, even inside a car, it can be a form of neglect or a form of child abuse,” said Rachel Ho of the Suriana Welfare Society. Clearly, regardless of the ongoing heat wave, children, or animals for that matter, should not be left in cars.
Heat wave or not, it can take as little as 15 minutes (or less) for a child left in an overheated cabin to suffer life-threatening injuries. You can learn more about how dangerous the situation can be and get some tips on how to avoid it entirely from our previous report.
Watch the videos below for a graphic lesson on the matter, and check out Australia celebrity chef Matt Moran’s recent public service announcement on the topic.
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Heatwave? Close schools?
Yes, it’s hot in the afternoon and some states worst. But it rains almost every evening here in KL! Many times I have to abandon my plans for swimming in the evening!
Skool time is only until afternoon & for Chinese ones, until evening. By then, raining doesnt help to relieve the whole day heat. Most classrooms r no air-con, so perhaps better kolos skool than risk them all go bye-bye. Capisce?
Ok
These are the problems caused simply by stupid parents in Malaysia.
How on earth parents could leave kids in the car, in the first place??? The parents playing handphone, izit?? Only in Lalaland…..
the parents leave the child in the car and go off to do a quick errand e.g. shopping or banking.