Phoenix Fire Department Brings Home the Truth About Trunk Entrapment

Each year we hear of children who make their way into a car trunk and are trapped. Often these children do not make it out of the trunk alive. Between 35 and 40% of all victims 14 and under do not survive trunk entrapment.

Cars parked in direct sunlight can reach internal temperatures of 130 to 175 degrees even after only 15 minutes in the sun. Death can occur within minutes when children are left in the interior of the car when the heat reaches 100 degrees or more inside the car. The combination of heat, humidity, and poor ventilation all contribute to the extreme danger of car trunks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a standard on trunk releases in January of 2001 that made it mandatory for all new vehicles in the U.S. to be equipped with trunk releases inside the trunk. The trunk releases are made to hinder the closure of the trunk unless the lever is reset to the proper position. There is also a dimly lit release inside the trunk to release the trunk from inside the vehicle.

Whether or not your car is equipped with a trunk release, the Phoenix Fire Department has these important reminders:

• Teach children that automobiles are NOT toys. Do NOT let your children play inside or around the car.
• Always lock the car and the trunk. Keep the car keys out of the sight and reach of children.
• Supervise young children closely when they are around cars.
• Be especially careful when loading or unloading the trunk.
• Keep rear fold-down seats closed to help prevent kids from getting into the trunk from inside the car.