Seeing your child locked inside the car can be a traumatic moment for any parent out there. This issue can be aggravated if it is excessively hot or cold outside, leading to the risk of heatstroke or freezing.
Even worse, a child can attempt to operate the vehicle due to their curious nature, or at least play with some of the levers or buttons inside. It could risk their safety if they accidentally pull on the emergency brake.
So you need to take immediate action to get your child out of the car.
But what to do if your kid has been locked inside of your car?
Don’t worry.
In this guide, we will walk through the options for how to safely get back inside your car without delay and take preventative measures to stop such incidents in the future. Let’s get started.
Call 911:
A child locked inside of a vehicle is an emergency. So, calling 911 is the first thing to do. Alert police and the fire departments.
But what if your phone is also locked inside the car? Try approaching a passerby for help. Or rush to the nearest store or gas station to call 911.
Call a Local Emergency Auto Locksmith or a Car Key Maker:
If your kid is not in an emergency or risk situation, you can reach out to the nearby key maker for cars or an auto locksmith. Many of them offer 24/7 emergency lockout services, meaning that you can call them anytime. In fact, in some situations, a key maker for cars can arrive before law enforcement or any assistance. They are skilled and experienced to unlock your vehicle door without inflicting any harm on the locks.
Ensure the Safety of Your Kids While Awaiting Help:
It is also important to ensure the safety of your little ones. The temperature inside the car is likely to go up in hot weather. In such scenarios, make sure to shield the windshield and windows with blankets to prevent scorching sun rays get inside the car. It can be useful to prevent heatstroke. Let other people or passersby know your situation. Some kind-hearted individuals may offer their jackets or towels to cover the windows.
Stay Calm and Composed:
It is quite natural to feel anxious stressed feel helpless with your kid locked inside the car. However, the more you try to stay calm and collected, the better you will help them out. Take deep breaths and calm yourself down. Remaining calm helps you deal with the situation with clear judgment.
Pay attention to what’s happening around you and stay calm. Being calm and making good decisions involves thinking clearly and noting the time and location of the incident. This helps when contacting emergency services and provides crucial details for law enforcement reports.
Keeping track of time is especially important if someone is locked inside, as it helps assess potential risks and decide on appropriate actions. If there’s a concern about heatstroke or hypothermia, you may need to take more urgent measures.
Break Your Windows:
Break the car window only as a last resort when there’s an urgent situation, emergency help is taking too long or your child or pet is in severe danger. First, check if the car trunk is locked; sometimes, it might not be locked even if the doors are. If it’s unlocked, open it and get in.
If breaking the window becomes necessary, avoid the front windshield and rear window. Instead, focus on one of the side door windows, not the one where your child or pet is located. To break it, use the edges, not the center, and a spark plug is a handy tool for this. You can find a spark plug under the car hood. Place the spark plug on the window edges and use a hammer to hit it.
Remember that car door windows are made of tempered safety glass, which shatters into small pieces. Always break the window farthest from your child or pet to avoid any harm from the shattered glass.
How to Prevent Locking Your Child or Pet Inside the Car
No one wants to experience the stress of accidentally locking their child or pet inside a car. Here are some practical tips to help you avoid such situations:
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Never Leave Your Child Alone:
Resist the temptation to leave your child unattended in the car, even for a moment. While taking an infant in and out of a car seat might take time, it’s a small inconvenience compared to the potential risks of leaving them alone.
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Be a Good Samaritan:
If you come across a child locked inside a vehicle, don’t hesitate to act. Immediately request assistance and call 911. Many states have Good Samaritan laws that protect those who help in such emergencies.
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Keep Car Keys Secure:
Children are naturally curious and may play with car keys, inadvertently locking themselves inside. Store car keys out of reach and teach children about the importance of not playing with them.
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Opt for Delivery or Drive-Thru Services:
Avoid leaving your child unattended in the car, even for a quick errand. Opt for delivery services or use drive-thru options to minimize the time your child spends alone in the car.
The Bottom Line:
Stay calm and dial emergency number 911 when your child gets locked inside and you don’t have any measures to unlock the car. Also, call an emergency auto locksmith or a key maker for cars for backup support. Make sure to avoid things such as leaving your child alone in the car or making car keys accessible to them which can lead to car lockouts.
We at AZ Locksmith provide emergency car locksmith services to help you in critical situations. We have a skilled team of key makers for cars to offer prompt and reliable solutions. Call us now!
