Trunk Entrapment
Children sometimes think that trunks are fun places to play, but children can get trapped in trunks and be overcome by heat exhaustion before they can call for help.
Tips for Prevention
- Teach children that trunks are only used to store and move items, and are not safe places to play.
- Make sure that children do not have access to keys and keep your vehicle locked at all times, even in the driveway or garage.
- Keep rear fold-down seats closed to help prevent kids from getting into the trunk from inside the car.
- Show children how to locate and use the glow-in-the-dark emergency release found in newer cars. This feature does not exist in cars made before 2001, but there are inexpensive kits you can buy to retrofit your car.
- Check trunks first if you can’t find your child. It’s quite possible they have found the perfect hiding place.
Legislation
- Several states have enacted laws that prohibit putting children in the trunk for any reason.
