By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, March 22: Deputy Minister of Women, Family, Welfare, Community Well-being, and Childhood Development Sarawak Datuk Rosey Yunus has reminded the community, especially parents, of the importance of never leaving unattended children in a parked car with the air conditioning running.
“Although it may seem like a convenient solution to keep them cool while running errands, the risks involved are too great to ignore. Heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses can occur in a matter of minutes, even with the windows cracked,” she said when met on Thursday night (March 21) during the ‘Juh Berambeh Sungkei’ programme with Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd at a leading hotel here.
Some 65 underprivileged children in Miri were also in attendance.
“Therefore, it is crucial for parents always to double-check and ensure that their child is not left unattended in a car, no matter how quickly they plan to return. Being alert in these situations can prevent tragic accidents and keep children safe,” she pointed out.
Rosey has raised concerns about child safety after a video went viral showing two children left unattended in a car with the engine running by their father on Thursday afternoon in front of the post office at Jalan Post here.
It is believed that the children fell asleep while accompanying their father. Concerned members of the public who spotted the children inside the car, motionless, quickly sprang into action to rescue the boys from potential danger.
The commotion outside the post office alerted the father, who was inside the office at that time.
“Cases involving children being left unattended in cars with the engine running are unfortunately all too common. This reckless behaviour poses a serious risk to the safety and well-being of the child, as they are left vulnerable to a number of potential dangers,” she said.
Thus, Rosey added, it is crucial for parents and caregivers to be vigilant and responsible when it comes to the safety of their children and never leave them alone in a running vehicle.
“These incidents can have devastating consequences and should never be taken lightly. It is important for society to raise awareness about the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars and for law enforcement to take appropriate action in cases where this behaviour is observed,” she stressed. — DayakDaily
