Child or Pet Locked in a Car: What to Do Right Now

Child locked in the car? Dog locked in the car? It’s a stressful situation, but the quickest route to the all-clear is knowing who to call and what to do while help is on the way. If anyone inside looks distressed, call 111 immediately.

What Do I Do If a Child Is Locked in a Car?

If you’re asking yourself what you do if your child is locked in a car, start here:

1. Check how they’re doing. Look out for heavy sweating, flushed skin, or floppiness.
2. Call 111 immediately if there’s any sign of distress, and give your exact location.
3. Call for unlock help. Our technicians treat these situations as urgent.
4. Shade the windows with a towel or jacket, then stay with the car and keep talking.
5. Note the time. Responders will want to know how long they’ve been inside.

Baby locked in a car? Treat it as urgent from the first second. Babies can’t cool themselves well, so they heat up faster than anyone else in the car.

Who Do I Call If a Child Is Locked in a Car in NZ?

Please remember, in emergency situations where you have concerns for your child’s health, always call 111.

If your child is calm and the car is still cool, you’ve got two good options:

1. The AA on 0800 500 222 (or *222 from your mobile). They prioritise children and pets, member or not.
2. Armstrong’s 24/7 car lockout services. Armstrong offers emergency locksmith services and a free, prioritised service to unlock your vehicle if a child is locked inside.

Should I Break the Car Window to Get a Child Out?

If your child is showing signs of heat stress and getting worse, yes. Call 111 first and tell the operator what you’re about to do.

The AA advises breaking the window diagonally opposite your child, which keeps glass well away from them. If they’re calm and the car isn’t heating up, wait for help. A lockout technician can open most cars without damage.

Dog Locked in Car? Here’s What to Do

The rules are a bit different for animals. Call the SPCA on 0800 SPCA NZ (77 22 69) or Police, note the registration, and ask nearby shops to page the owner.

Don’t smash the window yourself. The SPCA and Police both advise against it, as it puts you and the dog at risk. Owners can be fined $300 for leaving a dog in a hot car, and they’ll pay for the window if an SPCA inspector has to break it.

Once They’re Out: Cooling Down Safely

Getting them out of the car is only the first step. Move them into shade or air conditioning, take off any extra layers, and cool their skin with damp cloths or cool water. Skip the ice bath.

Even if a child seems fine, follow the 111 operator’s advice and get them checked by a doctor. Do the same with a vet for dogs.

How Quickly Does a Car Heat Up?

Faster than most people expect. AA figures show that on a 30°C day, the inside of a car can hit 39°C in under five minutes and 49°C within half an hour, even in the shade with the windows down.

Across the Tasman, research compiled by Kidsafe Queensland shows that a parked car can climb to 20–30°C above the outside temperature, hitting 60–70°C within minutes. Around three-quarters of that heat builds up in the first five minutes.

Car Temperature Danger for Child Passengers

A child’s body heats up much faster than an adult’s, so heatstroke can set in within minutes. Importantly, tests have shown that there is no safe situation in which to leave children unattended in a vehicle.

Car Temperature Danger for Dogs

Dogs cool down by panting, and in a hot car that’s not enough. The car temperature danger for dog owners is real even on mild days, especially for older or overweight dogs.

Car Safety for Children and Pets

The AA attends around 760 callouts for children locked in vehicles and 650 for pets in a typical year. Most are avoidable.

Most lock-ins happen at busy moments. People get distracted while packing beach bags or shopping into the car. A faulty remote can also leave you stuck, so replace your fob battery as soon as its range starts to drop.

Tips to avoid problems (including accidental lock-ins):

• Always take the child with you – even if you only intend to leave the car for a brief time.
• Keep the keys with the driver – never leave them with the child, in the ignition, or on a seat.
• Never let children play with keys or access an unattended vehicle.
• Check the vehicle is empty before remote locking – it is easy to make a mistake and accidentally lock them in.
• Watch out for cars that auto-lock and pets that can bump the central locking button.

Locked Out With Someone Inside? We’re Ready 24/7

For over 40 years, Armstrong has helped Kiwis back into their cars. If someone’s locked inside right now, call us immediately. For spare keys and remotes so it doesn’t happen again, see our automotive lock services or book a job online.