Have you found yourself in a situation where you accidentally locked your child in your car? The sight of a child trapped inside their vehicle, just a few inches from escape, but unable to unlock it, can be incredibly stressful for a parent. This situation becomes even more dire if the weather is extreme, making it crucial to act swiftly to ensure your child’s safety.
Moreover, it’s not uncommon for pets to find themselves locked inside cars as well. This guide will provide you with solutions on how to safely retrieve your child from the car without delay and how to prevent such incidents from occurring again in the future.
What steps should you take if your child or pet has accidentally locked themselves in the car? If it weren’t for the fact that your child or pet was locked in, we would suggest that you familiarize yourself with the steps to take if you find yourself locked out of your vehicle. However, given the critical nature of the situation, we advise you to follow these steps:
Dial 911
A child trapped inside a vehicle is always a serious emergency, so the first action to take is to call 911 and inform the police and fire department. Make it very clear that there is a child trapped inside and an immediate response is needed.
If your phone is also inaccessible inside the car, attempt to ask a stranger or quickly make your way to the closest gas station or shop to ask them to call 911 on your behalf. Indeed, it’s in your best interest to alert any bystanders or individuals nearby so they can monitor your vehicle to ensure your child is not left unattended.
When it comes to rescuing children, pets, or even adults trapped in locked cars, numerous states have enacted Good Samaritan Laws. Nearly all states have passed Good Samaritan laws for children trapped in vehicles.
Reach out to a local emergency car locksmith
If your child or pet is not in immediate danger, you can contact a local car locksmith who offers emergency lockout services. Many of these professionals operate around the clock and can respond swiftly to these situations. In certain instances, an emergency locksmith might even be able to arrive before the police and unlock the door without damaging the vehicle’s locks.
Locksmiths featured on Auto Locksmiths are thoroughly vetted and approved for their quality, and many will prioritize emergency lockouts aimed at rescuing your child or pet as quickly and safely as possible.
Ensure your child or pet’s safety while awaiting assistance
While you’re waiting for emergency services to arrive, it’s important to stay close to your vehicle to prevent theft or burglary and to comfort your child or pet.
If the weather is warm outside, remember that the temperature inside the car can quickly rise. In hot conditions, try to cover the windshield and windows with blankets or any other material to block out the sun and prevent heatstroke. This is another reason why it’s crucial to communicate the emergency situation, as Good Samaritans may be willing to provide towels or jackets to block the windows in your car.
Try to keep your cool and stay alert
It’s undeniable that discovering your child or pet trapped inside your car can be incredibly distressing, but you shouldn’t let it overwhelm you. Take deep breaths and proceed with the following steps.
Maintaining your calm and composure can help you navigate the situation with clear thinking and logic, which can be a great comfort once your child or pet is safe.
You might even be able to guide your young one to open a window or unlock the doors themselves, even if they’re not very old. Your comforting presence and patience could help them escape sooner while waiting for help to arrive.
Be aware of your surroundings and stay calm
A key part of staying calm (as much as possible) and making wise decisions is being able to think clearly and note the time and location of what’s happening. This is crucial for notifying emergency services initially and for providing law enforcement with detailed information about the incident.
Recording the time is also important as it allows you to estimate how long your child or pet has been trapped. If you think it’s taking too long and your child is at risk of heatstroke or hypothermia, you might need to take more drastic measures.
Break your window
This action should be your last resort if emergency services are delayed in response or if you believe your child or pet is in immediate danger. In dire situations where waiting is not an option, you’ll need to find a way to get back into your car.
First, check if your car trunk is locked or not. Many key fobs that lock all doors don’t necessarily lock the trunk. If it’s unlocked, open it and release the latch to enter the back, or use force if necessary and safe to do so.
Often, the only way out is to break the car door window. Avoid breaking the front or rear windshield. Instead, target one of the door windows (not the one your child/pet is in).
The simplest method to break a car door window is to hit the edges with force, not the center. A good tool for this is a spark plug, which you can get from your car by removing the hood. Place the spark plug on the edges of a window, then use a hammer or another blunt tool to strike it.
The thought of accidentally locking your child or pet in the car is something you’d rather not face, so what steps can you take to prevent it? Here are a few effective strategies to avoid locking your child or pet in the car:
- Never leave your child unattended in the car, no matter what. While it might take a bit longer to remove an infant from their car seat and place them back in, the effort to ensure they’re with you is much more valuable than the risk of leaving them alone and unattended.
- Always ask for help or call 911 if you notice a child locked in a car. Many states have laws protecting Good Samaritans, so it’s crucial to act swiftly and responsibly.
- Keep car keys out of reach of children. Kids are naturally inquisitive and enjoy playing, but playing with car keys and imagining they’re driving a car isn’t the safest or most constructive form of play and could result in them locking themselves in by accident.
- Opt for delivery or drive-thru services instead of leaving your child alone. Car theft frequently occurs when individuals go inside “just for a moment” and leave the car unattended. If you must leave your car, consider having your child or pet stay with a partner or family member at home before you leave.
In numerous states, intentionally leaving your child alone in a car can result in legal consequences for neglect or endangering a child. It’s not worth the risk, so avoid it at all costs. If your child accidentally gets Locked in the Car, accidents can occur, and you must respond swiftly by calling for help from emergency services or a locksmith who specializes in emergencies.
