Mum accidentally locks phone, keys and baby in car

Mum accidentally locked her keys in the car with her baby still inside. Photo / 123rf

A mum had a frantic few minutes this summer when she accidentally locked her keys and phone in her car - with her baby.

The case was one of 5100 lockout jobs the Automobile Association has attended since December 1 - that's more than 100 a day. And they attended 34,672 for all of last year.

"We had a mum who ... dropped her keys into her handbag on the passenger seat and left it there so she could get her baby out first," said AA roadservice national manager John Healy. "She shut the door behind her and the vehicle locked with her baby, keys and phone all inside the car.

"Thankfully she managed to borrow a phone and get in touch with us and we had her baby out of the car within minutes."

He said people often threw their routine out the door and forgot where they left their keys, which could be dangerous.

"Holiday brain definitely takes its toll at this time of year, but the real danger is when there are children and pets locked inside the car," Healy said.

The AA has been called to more than 150 emergency jobs involving children or pets locked inside vehicles since December.

"There are still parents who think rolling down their windows a crack is okay - it's not," Healy said.

"A sliver of air doesn't provide enough ventilation to combat soaring temperatures, which can climb up to 40 degrees within a few minutes."

He said parents and caregivers needed to make sure they always had their keys on them when they're in and around their vehicles, especially if kids and pets were inside.

"Remember to check your boot before you shut it and never give your keys to the kids to play with - it often leads to them getting locked in, and it's so easily avoided.

"The good news is we're doing better as a nation than we were at this time last year, but it's important to remember that a lot of vehicles have automatic deadlocking, which makes it easier to get caught out and harder to get into."

The AA immediately prioritises any calls involving children or pets locked inside a vehicle.

Where possible, two AA Roadservice Officers arrive at the scene, Healy said. If the situation is deemed to be serious, the AA also notifies the Fire Service in case there is a delay in arrival.

To call the AA for emergency lockout assistance, dial 0800 500 222 or *222 from mobile phones.

Locked out

• 5107 lock out and lost key AA callouts since Dec 1
• 34,672 for all of 2016
• 152 emergency jobs involving children and pets locked in cars