A worrying phenomenon that has been publicized by the mass media in recent years is leaving children or pets in tightly closed vehicles. High temperatures cause the inside of a car to heat up drastically, reaching as much as 60 degrees Celsius. A child inside is at risk of overheating, which can lead to life-threatening internal organ injuries and heatstroke.
Children under the age of 3 are particularly vulnerable to high temperatures because their thermoregulatory mechanisms are not fully developed; their body temperature rises two to five times faster than that of an adult. This quickly leads to dehydration and thermal shock, posing a direct threat to health and life. Toddlers left unattended in a closed, heated car become weak, their perspiration increases significantly, and their skin turns pale.
In such situations, children do not cry; they are disoriented and do not have the strength to scream. The consequences of parents’ or guardians’ irresponsible conduct can be dramatic, as demonstrated by an incident that took place in Rybnik in 2014. A three-year-old girl left unattended in a closed car became the victim of a deadly trap. The cause of death was a stroke caused precisely by overheating.
The Police Headquarters appeals for common sense and warns that leaving a child in a heating, closed vehicle results in criminal liability. The mildest form of punishment in this case is a fine of up to PLN 500. Pursuant to Article 106 of the Code of Petty Offenses: “Anyone who, having a duty to care for or supervise a minor under the age of 7 or another person unable to recognize or defend themselves against danger, allows that person to remain in circumstances dangerous to human health is subject to a fine or a reprimand.” The Criminal Code also provides a penalty for this act in Article 160, paragraph 2: “If the perpetrator has a duty to care for a person exposed to danger, they are subject to imprisonment for between 3 months and 5 years.”
Heat poses a serious threat not only to people but also to animals. Leaving a pet in a tightly closed car poses a serious danger to it. As with people, the animal may overheat, putting its life or health at risk. In this case, owners will not remain unpunished either [podkreślenia – „ii”]. Article 35, paragraph 1a of the Animal Protection Act specifies the penalties for abusing animals: a fine, restriction of liberty, or imprisonment for up to 2 years. Under these provisions, the aforementioned abuse of animals also includes “exposing a domestic or farm animal to weather conditions that endanger its health or life,” which includes the problem discussed here.
Let us also remember that each of us has a duty to help another person. Under Article 162, paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code, failure to provide assistance in a situation involving a direct threat to a person’s life or health is punishable by imprisonment for up to 3 years. When witnessing such an incident, we should remember several important rules to follow. When seeing a child locked in a vehicle, first check their condition and whether they are conscious and responding to our presence and voice. Then look around for the car owner and check whether the doors are unlocked.
If we cannot get inside in order to save the child’s life, under Article 26 of the Criminal Code concerning a state of necessity, we have the right to break a window and free the trapped child. Choose the window farthest from the child so that glass fragments do not injure them. A hard object or one’s own physical strength may be used to break it.
After removing the child from the car, provide first aid and call an ambulance. Similar rules apply when rescuing animals.
In view of the heat currently prevailing, let us be sensible and responsible; by following basic rules, a great tragedy can be avoided.
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