Trunk Entrapment
Prevention Tips:
- Teach children not to play in or around cars. Teach them that vehicle trunks are for cargo, not for playing.
- Always supervise your children carefully when in and around vehicles.
- Check the trunk right away if your child is missing.
- Lock your car doors and trunk and be sure keys and remote entry devices are out of sight and reach of your kids.
- Keep the rear fold-down seats closed/locked to keep your children from climbing into the trunk from inside your car.
Retrofit your car:
As of September 1, 2001, auto manufacturers were required to equip all new vehicle trunks with a 'glow in the dark' trunk release inside the trunk compartment. Show your kids how to use the release in case of an emergency.
If your car is older and does not have the 'glow in the dark' trunk release, ask your automobile dealership about getting your vehicle retrofitted with a trunk release mechanism.
What you need to know, now:
- Younger children are more sensitive to heat than older children and adults, and are at greater risk for heatstroke.
- High temperature, humidity and poor ventilation add up to the extremely dangerous environment of a vehicle trunk of your vehicle.
- Even in cooler temperatures, your vehicles can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. An outside temperature in the mid 60s can cause a vehicle's inside temperature to rise above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The inside temperature of your car can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes.