A Trunk Door Handle Can Make It Easier to Get Children Out of a Car

Leaving children or pets in a car is dangerous, especially when the trunk is open. They can die very quickly from heat prostration. To reduce the chances of this, a new trunk door handle can make it easier to get children out of the vehicle and into the trunk. New handles can also upgrade the appearance of a car, truck, or SUV and provide convenience for people with mobility challenges.

Sadly, modern car designers seem to think that hiding entrance levers on the back doors and trunks of their vehicles makes them sleek, modern, or even – God forbid – cool. We’ve seen this with the hidden rear door openers on the Nissan Juke, the front-door handles on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and the trunk latches on the Mazda 2.

The NHTSA’s proposed standard includes a requirement that manufacturers must provide a means of illumination to help trapped occupants locate a mechanical type of release mechanism. This is intended to prevent the reliance on a push button, which can be easily accidentally activated while an occupant is struggling in the closed trunk.

While this is a step in the right direction, it’s not enough. As the safety community weighed in on this proposal, some members expressed concern that NHTSA’s solution would be too expensive for many manufacturers to implement and that it could impede the ability of their customers to use the trunk opening when needed most.

Other members of the safety community have come up with solutions that are both affordable and enforceable. For example, Ford’s trunk release mechanism, which was shown at the first NHTSA meeting and will be available as a retrofit for cars one to five model years old, requires a single low-effort pull and only one inch of travel. It is sized to be easy for children to grasp and contains a special additive that glows for hours after exposure to light.

Another alternative is a removable handrail that can be bolted to the floor or the cargo area of the trunk. This can be installed or removed whenever needed, and it provides a secure grip for getting in and out of the trunk. This product is recommended by a number of safety organizations and has received hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon. It is easy to install, and the manufacturer covers it with a lifetime warranty. Other products that are designed to replace or upgrade factory door handles include a height-adjustable support strap with a handle, and a universal handle that can be stowed in the trunk for easy access. Ultimately, the best option will depend on the specific needs and budget of each individual.