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On the occasion of the persistently hot temperatures, the ARBÖ issues an urgent warning. Only 30 minutes can be enough.
After the somewhat “cooler” days again, Austria is facing unbelievable temperatures of up to 38 degrees this weekend. The risk of tragic incidents related to this heat increases – especially in cars. The ARBÖ, therefore, renews its warning not to leave children or animals in the vehicle under any circumstances. This also applies to a short stop at the pharmacy, for example.
If the outside temperature is only 24 degrees, the inside temperature in the car rises to over 40 degrees after only half an hour. At 36 degrees, it is already 48 degrees after 30 minutes. This can have life-threatening consequences. The danger is often underestimated because the car is supposedly in the shade. Nevertheless, air circulation can suddenly stop, or the sun can move out from behind clouds.
Worse is often prevented only by attentive passersby. “If you discover a car with an unattended child in warm temperatures, you should check in any case whether the child is well and whether it responds to you. If this is not the case, help must be provided immediately!” explains Mag. Johann Kopinits from the ARBÖ legal department.
Smashing a car window has no legal repercussions as long as it is done under the condition of an excusable emergency. One speaks of this if the damage threatening from the act does not weigh disproportionately more heavily than the disadvantage, which this intervention is to avert. “Here, a balancing of interests is made: Car or life. Of course, life comes first. Passersby are obliged to take remedial action and intervene, otherwise you are liable to prosecution for failure to render assistance,” says Kopinits.
Specifically, ARBÖ advises proceeding as follows in such a situation:
Assess the situation: is there still enough time to locate the vehicle’s parents or driver? For example, if the car is parked in front of a supermarket, you can have the driver called out there. If this is unsuccessful, the fire department and police should be notified.
In case of severe deterioration of the condition of the trapped child or animal, the rule on excusable emergency should be applied. Thus, passersby may break a window of the vehicle. Nevertheless, it is essential to document the incident with photos and videos. In addition, an attempt should be made to cause minor damage to the car. To ensure the occupant is okay, the rescue can also be notified.
The responsible legal guardians and the animal owners are threatened with further consequences with fines or a prison sentence of up to one year. If costs are incurred due to the rescue operation, these must also be borne by the responsible party.
- source: heute.at/picture:
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