Power Windows
Power windows in vehicles have killed or injured thousands of children. It takes just 22 pounds of force to suffocate or injure an infant while power windows can exert an upward force of 30-80 pounds of force.
Thanks to the work of KidsAndCars.org, dangerous rocker and toggle power window switches have now been eliminated. All new vehicles manufactured on or after October 1, 2010 must have the safer ‘pull up to close/push down to open’ switches. (read the regulation)
Child Stories / Tragedies and Near Misses
What goes up SHOULD go down. Power windows have maimed and strangled thousands of children. The anti-pinch or auto-reverse feature should be standard equipment on all power windows. This problem is all too real. These tragic stories are about children who were no match for over-powered power windows.
Tragedies
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Near Misses
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Fact Sheet
Power windows in automobiles have killed or injured thousands of children. Since 1990 over 65 children have been killed by power windows, with untold numbers of brain injuries and amputations of fingers, etc.; most of them to children age three or younger.
Chart, Statistics, Graphics
Below are KidsAndCars.org charts and graphs which can be downloaded for free and are excellent education materials. We encourage you to share, print, copy, distribute, or enlarge them; but we ask that no changes be made.
Click on an image below to open a full PDF file of the chart.. Please note, the PDF files are large and may take some time to open in your browser.
Public Service Announcements (PSAs) and Videos
Heighten awareness about the dangers children face in and around motor vehicles with KidsAndCars.org’s Public Service Announcements. Please encourage TV stations, hospital, doctor offices, public health offices, parenting classes, etc., to share this life-saving information.
Power Windows Studies
Below are studies specific to vehicle power window injuries and deaths. There have been several studies published about vehicle power windows but there is still much to be learned.
- Accidental strangulation in children by the automatic closing of a car window – February, 2018
- New Study Released on Nontraffic Injuries and Fatalities in Young Children – 9/27/2017
- Wave 2 Report: US Consumer Advanced Automotive Technologies Report – Spring, 2006
- Safeguarding of pinch and shear points on power windows by limitation of the closing velocity: A pilot study – 2005
- A Study About Power Windows in Automobiles, Harris Interactive – July 17-20, 2003
- NHTSA Research Note: Injuries Associated With Hazards Involving Motor Vehicle Power Windows – May, 1997
- Injuries Associated with Specific Motor Vehicle Hazards: Radiators, Batteries, Power Windows, and Power Roofs – July, 1997
- Traumatic asphyxia in children – Feb, 1997
- Accidental strangulation by a motor vehicle window – 1997
