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60C in 15 minutes - doctor issues warning amid three incidents this week of kids left in hot cars

January 31, 2019

Dr Tim Jellyman told Breakfast leaving your child in a closed hot car can be life threatening. (Source: Other)

A paediatrician is warning parents about leaving their children alone in hot cars after three separate incidents occurred in New Zealand this week.

Such cases are potentially life threatening, Dr Tim Jellyman told TVNZ1's Breakfast today.

"The thing about a car is that it is a mini greenhouse," he said. "Within 15 to 30 minutes, the temperature can go up to 60C.

"Being aware [how fast] the temperature can go up is something to keep in mind."

It's important to consider the heat even if a child doesn't voice discomfort, Dr Jellyman said. 

"A child might know they're hot but they don't quite have the developmental capacity to do these things for themselves, like opening the windows," he explained.

"We need to manage the temperature for them as we would for ourselves."

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