Don’t leave children locked in cars, parents advised

An official warned that children may play with different parts of the car, which can have serious consequences.

Sharjah/Ajman - With the onset of summer season in the country, authorities in the UAE have warned parents against leaving children locked in cars with engines running. A top official said leaving children locked in cars even for five minutes in the sweltering heat can lead to suffocation, which may even prove fatal.

Last year, more than seven such cases were reported from across the country.

The Ajman Police said children should not be left locked in cars no matter what the circumstances are. An official warned that children may play with different parts of the car, which can have serious consequences.

Parents must be aware that the practice is very dangerous, as the sweltering temperature would decrease the oxygen level, causing poisonous gases to leak from the plastic, leather and sponge seats of the cars — causing suffocation to children.

Dr Abdul Kareem Helmi, head of emergency section at the Khalifa Hospital, Ajman, said leaving children unattended in cars can lead to suffocation. He explained that poisonous carbon monoxide can slowly seep into the body and replace the oxygen in the blood. “Such incidents happen when the weather is very hot,” he explained.

Jamal Al Sumaiti, Director of Judiciary Institute in Dubai, said parents found guilty of leaving their children locked in cars can be sentenced to one to three months in jail.

Al Sumaiti urged the authorities concerned to organise awareness campaigns to educate parents about the dangers of leaving children locked in cars. -afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE