But parents aren’t supposed to leave kids (particularly small ones) unattended. So the very fact that the child is in a car by itself is a crime.
That probably varies from state to state, but in at least California - it apparently is not in and of itself illegal unless it presents a significant risk to child’s health or safety - or vehicle is left on…
http://blog.sfgate.com/sfmoms/2010/06/22/is-it-ever-ok-to-leave-a-kid-alone-in-a-car-for-just-a-few-minutes/
ETA:
As of 2011 - it was illegal in 15 states…
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/most-are-unaware-leaving-a-child-in-car-is-illegal-629008/
Pretty much any EMS types will do the same without a second thought, especially where I am. Fresno, CA can easily see daytime temperatures of 105, an incident like this happens on several times a year in the parking lots of Fresno Community Hospital. I know of half a dozen incidents personally while I was working of EMT’s breaking out windows.
I can only give advice, but I cannot indemnify anyone for damage they might cause to another’s vehicle by breaking a window. However, in about 10 seconds I can seek permission from a high enough authority at the police who can indemnify the caller. So that is what we do.
But most often the caller is the parent/caregiver who has managed to lock his/her keys in the car with the child. I can’t make them smash their own window but I have never had someone refuse… just had them not be capable of doing so without a tool.
I remember times I forgot my daughter was in the car. Luckily, I remembered before I ever actually left her back there, but it could have easily gone the other way.
I defy anyone to read that linked article and not cry. Jesus Christ, it is heartbreaking, regardless of how tough and jaded and cynical one thinks one is, that article will break you.
Apparently not: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/116/1/e109.full
(and just to give credit where it’s due: I got the link from the SDMB itself.)
Now… I leave the windows in my car cracked anytime it’s warmer than about 75, but it’s a habit I started to protect VHS tapes and that I continue with electronic devices in mind (most of which don’t like going up over 140). I would not trust cracking the windows to protect a living creature.
Sorry guys, this was meant for the other thread on this topic. My mistake. I’ll link the article, since I brought it up in this thread.
My wife and I were leaving a restaurant after lunch one day. There were several people surrounding a distraught mother who had locked her infant in her van. As they were all arguing about what to do and who to call, I got a slim jim from my truck and unlocked the driver’s door.
The mother came to the driver’s door, and said “how did you do that? Are you a police officer?” When I replied “No.” she said “well I don’t know how comfortable I am with people just walking around with those things.” :eek:
It took all of my strength to hold my wife back from re-locking the door, slamming it, and whacking this ungrateful bitch in the head, which was her plan.
I keep two Spyderco Assist knives on my sun visors. Cuts through seat belts like butter, and when you squeeze the blade, acarbide glass breaker pokes out.
I carry an ASP baton with a glass breakeron the end.
For pure ease of entry or slightly larger tasks, I have a small fire axe mounted on the tailgate of my Yukon.
It also deterred some suspicious looking punks that were approaching me at the gas station last month as I put some gas cans in the back.
A week ago my mild-mannered, mind-her-own-bidness wife told me I had to remount the axe in her trunk, because the straps were too tough for her. I asked how hers had come undone, and she said “It didn’t. I used it to break some asshole’s window out who left her kid in the car.”
They parked near her and went into a store for 15 minutes. When they came back out, the baby was still there, so while my daughter called the cops, Mrs. pulled her axe and removed a window. Much fun ensued.
Yeah, I’m prepared for many things…
Just some more info that matches what others have already posted.
Regarding that tool for breaking windows, I agree that it’s not much use in your glove box when you’re outside the car trying to break in.
If I was in the situation where I saw a kid in an unattended car, the first thing I’d do is look around for the owner. My actions would totally depend on where the car was relative to buildings or places where the parent/owner would be and what condition the kid seemed to be in.
If it was parked out the front of a corner store I’d poke my head in there and ask, if it was in a large carpark where the parent is a fair way away I’d probably smash a window.
I can only guess how much trouble a “regular” civilian would be in, if he broke someone’s car window, no matter the reason, or if the child somehow got injured from the flying glass, worse yet.
Airborne tempered glass from manually breaking a window is not going to hurt anyone. propelled by high speed car collision speed it will cut you up a bit, but something like rock to window…non issue. If you have ever handled broken bits of tempered glass it almost feels like gravel. Granted it will have some little sharp edges, but its nothing like home window glass.
There’s no need for flying glass. You don’t need to go all Hulk Smash to break a window.
You choose the farthest window from the child - typically a front window - and pop the glass with the right tool. The glass simply shatters and falls down in the seat and floor.
Yeah, a Babe Ruth swing can send some glass flying, but it’s generally not necessary, and a small cut from tempered glass is no big deal given the situation.
I suggest everyone consider carrying a proper glass breaking tool. There are several quality items available, and a lot of cheap crap. Do a little research, and find what’s right for you. I carry a Benchmade Triage or Spyderco Assist among other things. They’re pricey, but effective.
Not only could you have to rescue a child or pet from a hot car, but you may find yourself or someone else trapped after an accident, or other circumstances.
Shit happens. Be prepared.
ducati, you mentioned using a slim jim to pop a door. Would that be easier/faster than breaking a window? I imagine the car owner would be happier.
Regards,
Shodan
Emphasis on my typing “somehow”
You don’t even need to buy a special tool to easily shatter glass; a broken spark plug will work:
www.youtube.com/results?search_query=spark+plug+window
Maybe, maybe not. I have an entire locksmith car entry set, but don’t usually carry it anymore. Just the slim jim. Which only works (for me) some of the time.
If I had a baby/hot car situation, I’d try the SJ for a minute or two, then break the glass.
The tools I carry are more for (higher) emergency situations like entrapment, fires, roll-overs and such. I probably average 1 “rescue” every 18-24 months or so, just by being the first person on scene.
How do you do that? Do you have a radio in your vehicle? I’ll be 52 in October, and I’ve never been presented with a life-or-death scenario. Which one of us is the aberration? Or do we both represent statistical extremes?
I live in a city with 5.5 million residents. A lot of stuff happens.
By my nature, I may be a bit more inclined to jump in to dangerous situations where others will simply call 911. Maybe it’s because I used to ***BE ***911.
Recently, I witnessed a crash where a van rolled down an embankment to the treeline.
I stopped and went to help the father extract his infant from UNDER the van. As I carried the injured child - dad was already on his cell phone :rolleyes: - up the hill there were about a dozen adults on the sidewalk just watching. I’m sure someone called the cops, but no one was down the hill helping. They just stood around like sheep.
They were concerned enough to stop, but not enough to help lift a van off of someone…
I volunteer as First Aid and First Responder at different sporting events, parades, bike rides, etc…
I pay attention to my surroundings. I’m rarely lost in a phone conversation or singing “Afternoon Delight” at the top of my lungs to the exclusion of all else.
I’m in charge of my county’s Mobile Command Post. I do have radios for Fire, Police, and more, but I don’t usually monitor them. I would never go out of my way to beat FD to a call. That’s for newbies and photogs, and just begs for trouble.
Sooo, I may skew towards the other end of the scale from you because of these elements of my life that are different from yours, but honestly, if you’ve never stopped to help at a severe auto accident or encountered an injured person at a ball game, skating rink, or the mall, I think you may be as rare an individual as I am.
Or on the street in front of you…
**Actor John Malkovich came to the rescue of an Ohio man who fell into a Toronto street and cut his neck on a scaffolding pole outside of his hotel, the man told ABC News today. **
And Ryan Gosling’s not asleep at the wheel either…
Ryan Gosling Rescues Woman from NYC Cab
This time the actor-turned-erstwhile-hero saved a woman from being hit by a New York City cab.
You just have to pay more attention! 
Last summer, we locked our 2 year old daughter in the car with the keys. It was a sunny day, about 80 degrees and the car was already hot from sitting in the sun for 30 minutes or so.
We called mall security first. They refused to help us. We called 911 next. An officer showed up and refused to help us. He said he couldn’t break open the doors and couldn’t break the window because of “liability”. We had nothing to break the windows with and we were absolutely panicking (and I was 9 months pregnant). He called a superior officer to see what to do next. Waited another 5-10 min for him to come. He insisted we call a tow company to break into the door. Waited another 5 minutes for the tow company, who popped it open in 10 seconds.
We were absolutely astonished that no one would help us. Everyone kept telling us to call AAA because they couldn’t risk the liability.