Child Locked In Car — Emergency Guide

Is This An Immediate Emergency?

The first question is whether the child is in immediate physical danger. In warm weather, car interiors heat up extremely quickly — a car parked in sunlight can reach dangerous temperatures within minutes. If the outside temperature is above 15°C, or the child is showing signs of distress, call 999 immediately and tell them a child is locked in a vehicle.

Emergency services can authorise window entry to protect life. Do not wait.

If It Is Cold And The Child Is Calm

In cooler conditions with a calm child visible inside, you have slightly more time to get a non-destructive solution. Call us immediately on 0330 043 6681 and tell us straight away that a child is inside. We prioritise all jobs involving people or animals in vehicles — your call goes to the front of the queue.

Stay by the car, keep talking to the child calmly through the glass, and stay on the phone with us. Our average response time is 30–60 minutes, often faster in early morning hours.

What About Breaking The Window?

Breaking a window should only be done if the child is in immediate danger and emergency services cannot arrive in time. If you do need to break glass, use a rear side window — away from the child — and cover your hand. A centre punch or sharp metal object applied to the corner of the glass is most effective.

If you're not in an emergency situation, please don't break a window before calling us. Non-destructive entry takes only minutes and avoids injury risk and the cost of glass replacement.

After The Incident

Once the child is safe, we can also cut a spare key on the spot if needed — so you're never in this position again with only one key to hand.