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Learn how to keep the car trunk off limits and teach children to be cautious in and around cars with some basic tips.
A combination of poor ventilation and high temperatures make trunk space a dangerous place for children. From 2005 to 2009, trunk entrapment resulted in the death of 16 children in the United States.
- Make sure to lock your vehicle, including doors and trunk, when you’re not using it. Keep keys and remote entry fobs out of children’s sight and reach.
- Teach kids that trunks are for transporting cargo and are not safe places to play.
- Show older kids how to locate and use the emergency trunk release found in cars manufactured after Sept. 1, 2001. Very young children may not have the strength or ability to open the release bar.
- Keep rear fold-down seats closed to help prevent kids from climbing into the trunk from inside your car.
- If your child is missing, get help and check swimming pools, vehicles and trunks. If your child is locked in a car, get him or her out as quickly as possible and dial 911 immediately. Emergency personnel are trained to evaluate and check for signs of heatstroke.
When it comes to cars, there are lots of small things parents can do to keep their kids safe. Learn more tips about how to protect your children from heatstroke in cars and keep your driveway clear so that you can safely pull in and back up. You can download these tips here.