By: Natasha Archary
Paramedics in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal were grateful that their efforts to rescue a baby locked in a car for hours while the parents shopped, were not in vain.
While the infant was found unresponsive, paramedics managed to resuscitate the baby.
Forcing entry into the vehicle, paramedics were alerted to the baby who was locked in the car by a security guard.
The parents had failed to leave any windows open and there was no ventilation for the baby.
After being placed on oxygen, the infant regained consciousness and there are no reports that the child suffered further complications.
It is unclear how long the infant was locked in the car for but paramedics say, if they were not alerted when they were, the child would have died.
According to Medi Response, the baby has been placed in the care of practitioners and the parent will most likely face charges of child neglience.
A locked vehicle can quickly become a death trap for a child, as poor ventilation can cause death through suffocation and heat stroke.
Even with the windows rolled down slightly, temperatures inside a parked car can climb quickly, causing a child’s body temperature to spike rapidly.
Parents are urged to never leave their children inside their vehicle even if they are going into the shop for a few items.
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