Thursday, 22 February 2018

The Andrews Labor Government is launching a new campaign to warn parents about the risk of accidentally leaving their child in a car due to short term memory failure.

The Australian-first campaign is raising awareness about a phenomenon known as fatal distraction, which can affect any parent or carer experiencing extreme tiredness, stress or a change in routine.

Research shows short term memories can only hold six to eight items at a time, and added to stress and exhaustion, may cause parents to leave their child behind in a car, which can result in serious injury or death.

The Look Before You Lock campaign encourages mums, dads and carers to establish habits that minimise this risk and was developed in response to recommendations of the Victorian Coroner.

Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos launched the campaign alongside academic Associate Professor Matthew Mundy, who helped develop resources for the campaign.

Gippsland parents are encouraged to always look in the back seat before locking their car so it becomes second nature to them – similar to putting on your seatbelt before driving.

Fact sheets on short-term memory failure and advice on how parents and carers can minimise the risk of fatal distraction have been sent to Maternal and Child Health Services and kindergartens across Victoria.

The Labor Government’s Look Before You Lock campaign includes radio and online advertising, billboards on buses, social media messages, and a new website with tips on how to create a safer routine.

For more information, visit looklock.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos:

“Memory lapse can lead to devastating consequences for parents and carers, where they genuinely believe they have taken their child out of the car or dropped them off when they haven’t.”

“Something as simple as leaving your keys or your wallet or grocery shopping in the backseat, instead of the passenger seat, will help remind you to look in the back, before you lock.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing:

“Understanding and preventing fatal distraction is vitally important for parents and carers on the go, who are often tired, hurried and stressed – creating good habits can make all the difference.”

“Parenting is a full-time job and if checking the back of the car becomes part of every car trip, we can prevent children and babies from being behind by mistake.”