Children locked in cars

Why you shouldn't let children play with car keys

An AA patrol helps release a child who has locked himself in the car You might be tempted to let the children play with the car keys as a distraction while you load them into the car and try to avoid the tantrums and trauma as you get them all belted in properly. But children with car keys can easily become locked in the car alone.

With central locking systems on cars it is very easy for a child to become locked in a car with the car keys. AA Patrols attend many incidents - an average of around four a day - where we find a distraught parent and a child locked in the car.

In hot weather this can be particularly dangerous.

The easiest way to avoid the problem is to always keep you car keys with you so if the car does lock accidentally you are able to unlock it quickly.

Never give the keys to a child to play with while you load up the car. It is such an easy situation to avoid and just takes a little thought to be aware of where your keys are at all times.

Advice

  • Keep your keys with you at all times
  • Never give your children the keys to play with in the car
  • Don't close all the doors unless you are sure your have the keys
  • Leave a window open so that if central locking is activated you can still get in
  • Keep spare keys at home
 

12 August 2011