Leaving children alone in cars could prove fatal, warn police

Abu Dhabi Police warned drivers and families on the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during periods of high temperatures amid stifling heat.

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The police emphasised the importance of protecting children and urged parents and caregivers not to leave them alone in cars, even for short periods, while shopping or for any other reason. They stressed that the role of families was crucial in preventing such incidents, hoping to avoid tragedies that claim innocent lives.

The police highlighted that leaving children in vehicles could result in fatal consequences, including suffocation due to oxygen depletion and rising temperatures inside the car.

Additionally, children might accidentally lock the vehicle, tamper with the gear shift, causing the car to move and potentially leading to accidents, or leave the vehicle vulnerable to theft by opportunists.

Abu Dhabi Police clarified that endangering a child's life is a crime punishable by law, as children lack the awareness to recognise such dangers due to their limited understanding.

They warned that anyone found negligent in such cases would be referred to the judicial authorities for legal action.

The police called on the community to prioritise child safety and take preventive measures to avoid these preventable tragedies.

On other hand, rescue teams from Dubai Police's General Department of Transport and Rescue successfully saved a two-year-old child who was trapped inside a vehicle after the doors had been accidentally locked, while his parents were outside the car shopping, unaware of the danger that had nearly cost their child his life.