Set the timer to 54 seconds

Online timer for 54 seconds

With the car still hot after the first run, start the fifty-four-second countdown again while the air conditioner keeps working and you check whether the steering wheel and seat have become comfortable. A second interval makes sense when the car has been parked in strong Australian sun and the first blast of cool air has not yet reached the back seats.

While the cabin cools, a phone may dim or lock before the countdown finishes, making the final moments easy to miss. Keep the sound audible and leave the phone somewhere shaded rather than on the hot dashboard. If the screen goes dark, the alert can still mark the end while you adjust the vents, move a windscreen shade or load bags.

For a repeat run beside the car, a phone is usually easier to keep within hearing range as you open doors or put away the shade. A laptop suits a garage or driveway setup where it can stay safely on a stable surface, but it is awkward around seats and shopping. Treat the alert as a point to check the cabin, since cloud cover, dark upholstery and how long the vehicle sat outside can change the result.