UK: RAC warns parents of child lock-in danger

With a 10% rise¹ in rescue call outs to children trapped inside cars, RAC is today urging motorists to avoid using sensitive, electronic car keys as makeshift toys.

RAC, one of the UK’s most progressive motoring organisations rescued nearly 100,000² motorists locked out of their own cars in the last year.

An overwhelming 99% of RAC’s 1,650 patrols have attended a lock-out in the last year, equating to an average 57 call outs per patrol annually³, including some bizarre situations: 

1. One RAC member’s dog inadvertently locked her out by treading on the remote key, setting off the vehicle’s central locking. 
2. A heroic patrol freed eight thirsty people, packed inside a minibus, by buying them drinks then gaining access before driving them all to the nearest service station to use the toilet. 
3. An active RAC member stowed his keys up his exhaust pipe before starting a half marathon. Unfortunately he had poked his keys just out of reach, leaving him locked out in his running gear.
4. One RAC patrol got more than he bargained for when rescuing a parrot that had become locked in a car. Not only was the bird flying freely in the vehicle, but it amused itself throughout by talking to the patrol and playing with his lock out tools. 
5. It’s not just parents who find their children locked in; a horrified grandmother had to call out an RAC patrol when her two year old grandson, who had been playing with her keys, locked her out of the car.

Sue Corden, 36, experienced the stress of a lock-in for herself on New Year’s Eve at her parents’ house in Kent when her two-year-old son, Rhys, trapped himself in her car. Sue explains: “Rhys loves playing with shiny, noisy things and as a busy mum I didn’t think twice about momentarily giving him my keys to play with while I unloaded the car. I was horrified and guilt ridden when I realised that my baby son faced the prospect of spending New Year’s Eve locked inside our car. Luckily the RAC patrol arrived and got him out very quickly but he won’t be getting his hands on my keys for a few years!”

RAC patrolman Prakesh Patel adds: “Modern technology may be convenient but it is also highly sensitive so motorists need to take extra care. This is especially true when children are around.

“Although it can be incredibly worrying if your child gets locked inside a vehicle, it’s very important to keep yourself and the child calm if you can. It definitely helps us get the job done more quickly too!”

Richard Woolfson, leading child psychologist, says: “Parents instinctively fear any barrier between themselves and their child. That initial feeling of helplessness can be very disorientating but try not to feel guilty – it’s just an accident and won’t emotionally damage your child.”

Even for the most careful parent, mishaps can still happen. To help, RAC has teamed up with Woolfson, who, after detailed analysis of patrol data, has put together advice for dealing with a "lock-in" situation:

1. Stay calm. If you become agitated and distressed, your child will also become upset – they are heavily influenced by your reaction. 
2. Stay in your child’s line of vision. They’ll find the lock-out less challenging if they can see you at all times so stay where they can always keep their eyes on you.
3. Talk calmly to your child. Chatting, singing, or reciting nursery rhymes in a normal tone of voice will reassure them. 
4. Use positive body language. A child reads a great deal from their parent’s non-verbal communication, so smile and make good eye-contact with them. 
5. Hide food out of sight. The sight of food will make your child hungry, even though they probably weren’t thinking of food at all before.
6. Avoid crowding around the car. Discourage passers-by from gathering round; your child may become confused by a sea of strange faces staring in at them.
7. Stay positive. Even if your child is upset during the lock-out, remind yourself – and them – that they will soon be out of there. 
8. Keep the incident in perspective. No long term psychological damage will occur to your child as a result of this one temporary upset. They’ll get over it very quickly.
9. Don’t blame yourself. Try to learn positively from the incident instead of punishing yourself with guilt - take steps to ensure that it doesn’t happen again in the future.

-ends-

RAC Press office contact:
Sonia Clarke or Nico Holmes on 0207 908 6570/0207 908 6433, or Jon Day on 01603 209287/07800 690555

Notes to editors:

1. Based on year-on-year increase, December 2004 to December 2006
2. RAC received 94,406 calls regarding lock-outs in 2006
3. The number of calls regarding lock-outs (94,406) divided by the number of UK patrols (1,650)

About RAC
With around seven million members, RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organizations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, windscreen repair and replacement, learning to drive, vehicle inspections and checks, legal and financial services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information - RAC is able to meet motorists’ needs. RAC incorporates BSM, RAC Auto Windscreens, RAC Direct Insurance and HPI.

Aviva bought RAC in May 2005. The acquisition brings together RAC's powerful brand and customer base with the expertise and leading position in motor insurance of Norwich Union Insurance (part of Aviva). Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer, insuring one in seven motor vehicles and with a market share of around 15%.

RAC’s news releases and a selection of images are available from the internet press centre at www.racnews.co.uk.