Preventing Trunk Entrapment

Trunk entrapment

• Always lock a vehicle’s doors and trunk - especially when parked in the driveway or near the home – and keep keys out of children’s sight and reach.

• If a child is missing, check vehicles and trunks first.

• If you see an unattended child in a car dial 911 immediately.

• Be aware of child-resistant locks. Teach older children how to disable the driver’s door locks should they become unintentionally entrapped in a motor vehicle. A toddler will not know to climb into the front seat to climb out of the vehicle.

• If you find your child in a locked car, get him out and dial 911 or your local emergency number immediately to check for signs of heat stroke.

• Teach children that trunks are only used to transport cargo and are not safe places to play.

• Show older children how to locate and use the emergency trunk release found in newer cars.

• Keep the rear fold-down seats closed to help prevent kids from getting into the trunk from inside the car.