Each year, 10 to 20 people die because they are trapped in the trunk of a car. Many of these victims are children playing hide-and-seek or other games around vehicles. They do not realize how quickly they can overheat once inside a trunk with no way out. Since 2002, the number of deaths of children have decreased significantly because new cars are required to be equipped with release handles. But if you own an older vehicle, your car may not be equipped with a trunk release. You should take steps to ensure the safety of your children.
- Install an emergency release kit in your trunk. Kidsandcars.org offers a reasonably priced version. This will allow children to release the trunk from the inside.
- Teach children that vehicles are not toys. Discourage them from ever playing in or around cars.
- Make a habit of locking doors and trunks every time you exit the vehicle.
- Store keys out of reach of children.
- Keep rear fold-down seats closed to prevent trunk access from inside the car.
- Always supervise young children around cars, especially when loading or unloading from the trunk.
At The Gilbert Law Group®, our attorneys are dedicated to representing child accident victims nationwide. If your child has been severely injured in an accident, please call our experienced attorneys at (303) 431-1111 for your free consultation.
