UAE heat warning: You could be jailed for leaving a child in a hot car
Extreme heat causes rapid heatstroke and oxygen loss, a criminal offence in the UAE
Dubai: Temperatures inside a parked car can rise by as much as 30°C above the outside temperature, and leaving a child alone for even a minute can have deadly consequences. With the UAE recently recording its highest-ever May temperature, an unprecedented 51.6°C in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi authorities have intensified warnings to parents and motorists about the extreme dangers.
Abu Dhabi Police have issued an urgent reminder to families never to leave children unattended in vehicles, especially during peak summer heat.
Police warn of rapid heatstroke and oxygen depletion
Officials stressed that leaving children alone in a locked vehicle can lead to rapid oxygen depletion, heatstroke, and potentially fatal outcomes within minutes. There is also the added risk that children could accidentally lock themselves inside or tamper with the gear system, creating further danger.
It is a criminal offence under UAE Law
Leaving a child in a locked car is considered a form of neglect, especially during periods of extreme heat, and is punishable under UAE law. The Federal Law on Child Rights, known as the ‘Wadeema Law’, holds parents and guardians legally accountable.
Under Article 35 of the Wadeema Law, offenders can face imprisonment and/or a fine of up to Dh5,000, depending on the court's assessment. In more serious cases involving endangerment to life, the penalty may increase to imprisonment and/or a fine of up to Dh10,000.
Steps to prevent a tragedy
In 2024, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) and Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) jointly published a ‘Safety of Children in Vehicles Guide’, urging families to be vigilant.
The guide highlights that heatstroke is the leading cause of non-traffic-related child deaths in vehicles. It outlines key safety tips:
Always lock the car and store keys safely out of children's reach.
Ensure the vehicle is locked when empty to prevent children from climbing in.
Place a personal item—like a bag or mobile phone—next to your child in the back seat as a visual reminder.
If you see a child alone in a car, call 999 (police) or 998 (ambulance) immediately.
Monitor the car’s interior temperature frequently.
Prioritise removing children from the car before unloading luggage or groceries.
Use modern safety features like ‘child presence detection’ systems, available in many newer car models.
Why parked cars can become death traps
Cars can heat up rapidly, making them dangerous even in a short time. In a 2023 experiment by the Sharjah Child Safety Department, titled ‘Look Before You Lock’, outside temperatures between 40°C and 45°C caused interior car temperatures to spike by up to 30°C within just 10 minutes.
Volunteers placed in the locked vehicle experienced symptoms similar to those faced by children trapped inside: heatstroke, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and nausea, along with a measurable drop in oxygen levels.
A 2023 report by Gulf News further explained that as the body sweats to regulate temperature, it loses essential fluids and salts. This disturbs the body’s electrochemical balance, leading to increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and reduced oxygen levels. These effects can result in fainting and in extreme cases, suffocation and death.
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