Since September 1, paramedics have been called to 81 children trapped in vehicles across the state.

That number only increases when police and the NRMA response figures are added.

Latest figures from the NRMA show 2157 babies were retrieved from unattended vehicles in NSW in the 12 months to September 2017, while 1600 pets were rescued from cars over the same period.

Wagga Police Inspector Peter McLay said officers are also first respondents to trapped children.

“If police become aware of that we will be taking firm action against the parents or care-givers,” Inspector McLay said.

“It’s all hands on deck and often police will respond as, too, will ambulances, and some of our other rescue agencies.”

In summer the temperatures inside cars can reach 80 degrees Celsius in just minutes.

The NRMA says some drivers leave young children unattended in vehicles because they are unaware of the dangerously high temperatures that cabins can reach — and are unaware of the penalties.

In NSW, adults who leave leaving kids in unattended cars risk being fined up to $22,000.

In Queensland the penalty is up to three years in prison, in Victoria it’s $3,690 and a maximum six months in jail.

Western Australia has the harshest punishment: a fine of up to $36,000 and up to three years imprisonment.

In most states in Australia there is no specific traffic fine for the offence, but police can charge responsible adults under the Child Protection Act.

NSW Ambulance Eamonn Purcell said temperatures inside vehicles can soar to well over 50 degrees.

“It happens here in Wagga and the region, the closest one we’ve had lately was in Leeton where a 2 year-old girl was treated for heat stress after being locked inside a vehicle,” Mr Purcell said.

“There is no excuse at all to leave anyone unattended in a car. That’s the first thing.

“Babies and small children are unable to regulate their body temperature as efficiently as adults. They absorb more heat from the environment than they can dissipate.

“This situation can quickly cause damage to body cells leading to unconsciousness, shock, organ failure and death. Even in milder temperatures, children and babies can get sick very quickly,” he said.

In some cases children had been locked in cars accidentally and urged parents to be extra vigilant.

“Be mindful of vehicle security systems, in particular the location of keyless fobs which can lock cars if left inside the vehicle,” he said.

“The effort it takes to bring your child with you is nothing compared to the trauma of your child being left in an overheated vehicle.”

If people find a distressed child locked in a car dial Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask for the Ambulance. The advice is to stay on the line until paramedics arrive.