How To Protect Your Child And Yourself In An Attempted Carjacking

There seems to be a spike in carjackings, if you become a victim of carjacking the most important thing is to not resist and remember your lives are more valuable than the most expensive car. While the circumstances of each situation may differ here are a few steps which could potentially save your life and the lives of your children.

1. If your kids are old enough, it is advisable that you undo the child-lock system.
2. If you have a central locking system and you are approached by a carjacker, remember to open all doors before you get out of the car and hand over the keys. This will ensure that your rear doors are open and that you can get your kids out while the carjacker gets into the driver seat.
3. If you have one child in the car with you, make sure that they are sitting directly behind you and not in the left rear seat. This way it will save you time and it will be easier for you to help your child to get out of the car.
4. If you have two kids travelling with you, teach them how to loosen their seatbelts and open their doors (if they are old enough of course).
5. The eldest child should be sitting behind the driver seat and the youngest child to the left, why?

If you are involved an attempted carjacking and your children are in the car, you are able to get out of the vehicle and go to the back door directly behind the your door. You should keep one foot inside the car, behind the driver’s seat, then lean across to retrieve the younger child. The older child will most likely cling onto you and you are then able to get both children out of the car.  Always stay calm. If the carjackers panic and the car moves before you have a firm hold on your child/children, your firm footing inside the car will ensure your body weight is thrown into the vehicle, instead of you being left behind and the carjackers driving off with your child/children.

1. DO NOT place car keys in pockets. The carjacker will think that you are reaching for a firearm when ypu grab your keys. Rather keep the keys in the arm rest or close by. The key to your car is your bargaining tool that will buy you time to get your child out of the car.
2. Always face your body sideways when you get out the car, try avoid facing the carjacker – your shoulder facing him/her if possible. This will prevent any vital organs from being in the line of fire should the carjacker shoot.
3. Do not interact with the carjacker unless you have to.