What To Do If Your Child or Pet Is Locked in the Car

What To Do If Your Child or Pet Is Locked in the Car

It’s every parent’s or pet owner’s worst nightmare: you step out of the car for a moment, the doors automatically lock, and suddenly your child or pet is trapped inside. Even on a mild day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly, creating a dangerous situation.

Unfortunately, as automotive locksmiths, we have seen more than our fair share of these emergency situations. It can be very stressful. However, following a few important steps can make all the difference and prevent a possible tragedy. These include:

 

1. Stay Calm – Then Act Fast: The first few seconds matter. Panicking will slow you down and make the situation worse. Take one deep breath, then move straight into action.

 

2. Call 000 If There Is Any Sign of Distress: If the child or pet is:

• crying excessively or showing signs of panic
• not responding
• showing symptoms of overheating
• at risk due to high temperatures, medical condition, or age

      Call 000 immediately. Police, fire and rescue treat this situation as urgent, and in severe cases they will break        the window for you.

 

3. Call a Local Automotive Locksmith (emphasising emergency assistance): If the situation is not yet life-threatening, and especially if the car is in shade or the temperature is safe:

• Call a trusted mobile automotive locksmith. Tell them clearly that you have a pet or child locked in a car. Most locksmiths prioritise these calls and arrive within minutes.

A professional locksmith can often unlock the vehicle faster than roadside assistance and without causing                damage. As a matter of fact, as an NRMA preferred supplier, they will often call us here at Mr Car Keys to deal with these types of situations as they know it will cost them less in the long run in terms of insurance claims for car damage.

 

4. Continue to Assess the Temperature Carefully: Even at 22°C, a car’s interior can reach 40°C in under 10 minutes. On hot days, it can exceed 60°C very quickly.

If the temperature is rising quickly:

• Move to shade if possible
• Create airflow (e.g., shading the windshield with clothing)
• Keep a close eye on breathing, movement, and distress signs

If the situation becomes urgent before help arrives, refer to step 6.

 

5. Avoid Trying to Unlock the Car Yourself: It’s natural to want to fix the problem immediately, but common DIY attempts often make things worse. If it is not a desperate situation, not waiting a few minutes for someone like Mr Car Keys to come and help can cause a lot more long term problems:

• Coat hangers can damage weather seals or wiring
• Screwdrivers can bend door frames
• Trying to force windows can cause dangerous shattering
• Jamming tools into the door may make it harder for responders to open the door

 

6. When It’s OK to Break a Window: If help is still minutes away and your child or pet is showing signs of overheating, vomiting, distress, or is unconscious, immediate action is needed.

How to break a window safely:

• Choose a window far from the child/pet
• Avoid the windscreen — it is laminated and very hard to break
• Use a pointed object (screwdriver, hammer, tyre iron, or a window-break tool)
• Strike the bottom corner of the glass, not the centre

Once the window breaks:

• Clear sharp glass away quickly
• Unlock the door from the inside
• Move the child/pet into fresh air
• Provide water or cooling if appropriate
• Call emergency services if there is any sign of heat-related illness

 

Common Reasons Why People are Locked out of Cars (And How to Prevent It)

It’s far more common than people think. Typical causes include:

• Automatic locking systems activating unexpectedly
• Keyless cars locking when the fob is out of range
• Keys left in the boot while unloading
• Pets stepping on the lock button
• Faulty actuators or central locking
• Flat batteries in the remote
• Rushing during busy moments

 

Prevention tips

• Always keep keys in your pocket
• Replace your remote battery annually
• Use a lanyard, belt clip, or wrist strap at beaches, parks or shops
• Have a surf key / non-chipped spare for outdoor activities
• Get malfunctioning central locking checked early

 

Here at Mr Car Keys, we love helping people to stay safe. If we can ever prevent an emergency situation like having a child or loved pet locked in a car, we feel like we have done our job. Please feel free to contact us on 0404621621 if you would like a “check up” on your key or for us to share some tips and tricks on ensuring your keys work when you need them most.

If, however, you do find yourself in an emergency situation, we are always just one call away. We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.