It never hurts to be prepared to break open a car window. After all, various scenarios and conditions can leave you trapped in your car.
Vehicle submersions make up less than 1% of traffic fatalities in the US. They typically happen in North Carolina, Florida, and other states near bodies of water. However, what some people fail to realize is that their cars can also get submerged during flash floods and hurricanes.
Accidents can also trap you in your vehicle. While car fires aren’t that common either, you never know when you might find yourself trapped in one. You also never know when you might stumble across a child or pet, alone and forgotten in the backseat of a hot car.
To safely and efficiently break a car window, you’ll need to have the right tools on hand.
What Is the Best Tool to Break a Car Window Glass?
The best window breaker will depend on your preference, but here are popular window breakers you’ll find on the market:
Resqme Escape Tool
Today, one of the most popular window breakers is the Resqme Escape Tool. It’s a small, lightweight tool that you can easily carry as a keychain. It can break tempered glass and cut through seat belts.
Automatic Center Punch
Typically used to create a dimple in metal or wood, an automatic center punch is also an effective car window breaker tool. It has a spring-loaded mechanism that releases a powerful punch after you press the tip against the glass.
Seat Belt Cutter
As its name suggests, a seat belt cutter is a tool with a blade sharp enough to easily cut through seat belts. Most seat belt cutters are affordable and easy to use. All you have to do is push your seat belt against the blade until it snaps.
Car Safety Hammer
A car safety hammer comes with a steel tip that can effectively punch through tempered glass. Some hammers feature a spring-loaded design where all you have to do is press its steel tip against your window, pull the trigger, and let the tip shatter the glass.
How To Use a Window Breaker
After buying a window breaker, make sure you know how to use it. Here’s how to use the most common types of window breakers:
Hammer-Style
Swing the safety hammer hard until the pointed tip hits the glass. Do it repeatedly until you shatter the glass.
Punch-Style
Press the pointed end against the glass, and keep pushing until the punch clicks forward to break the window.
Snap-Style
After aiming the breaking bead or shard at the window, pull the elastic band until it’s several inches from the glass and release it like you would a slingshot. Upon impact, the bead should shatter the glass.
In some cases, you have to hit the window multiple times to create a hole big enough to escape through. Don’t give up, and improvise if necessary.
What To Look for When Choosing a Car Window Breaker
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the choices out there. To make things easier, consider these important factors when buying a window breaker:
Value
Just because a window breaker is expensive doesn’t automatically mean it’s high quality. Some can cost around $240, but you can find cheaper ones that do the job just as well.
Breaking Power
Can the window breaker shatter the glass in one go? How much effort do you have to exert to effectively use it? These are questions you should ask when choosing a car window breaker.
Swinging a hammer typically requires a lot of effort and space, which isn’t ideal if you own a small vehicle. In this case, you might want to go for a center punch or a snap-type tool.
Durability
Go for a window breaker made of high-quality materials. The last thing you want is for your escape tool to break before it shatters the glass.
Portability
Ideally, your window breaker should be small and lightweight. Look for one that’s easy to carry around or store in an emergency kit.
Versatility
You can also find multi-purpose escape tools on the market, such as a safety hammer that also functions as a seat belt cutter and window breaker.
How To Prepare for a Car Emergency
It never hurts to be prepared, especially when it comes to emergencies that are often out of your control.
Know Your Car Window’s Glass Type
At the bottom corner of your car window, you should find a label indicating its glass type. This information can save your life if you ever find yourself trapped in your car.
Most car windows are made of glass that’s nearly unbreakable, even if you use a high-quality emergency window breaker. However, most manufacturers will have at least one tempered glass window in the vehicle for safety. This type of glass is easier to break and will shatter with the right tool. Its exact location can vary, so you’ll have to check your vehicle and memorize which ones are made of tempered glass.
Keep an Escape Tool in Your Vehicle
You should have an escape tool in your car at all times. Make sure it’s visible and easy to reach. You can get an emergency hammer hanging on a chain to attach to your rear view mirror or a seat belt cutter mounted to the dashboard.
Plan an Exit Strategy
Having an exit strategy means you’re less likely to panic in an emergency. Memorize your exit points, and practice how to use the escape tool. Be sure to explain your strategy to your passengers as well.
What To Do if You’re Trapped in a Vehicle
If you ever find yourself trapped in a car, always remember that there is a S.U.R.E. way out. Here’s what this helpful acronym means:
Stay Calm
This is easier said than done, but panicking only makes things worse. As much as possible, stay calm, so you can quickly execute your exit strategy.
Unbuckle Your Seat Belts
In an emergency, it’s easy to forget small details like unbuckling your seat belt. However, it’s a crucial step that each passenger must do to safely exit the vehicle.
Roll Down the Windows
Because of the pressure underwater, you won’t be able to open the door to escape. Your best bet in this scenario is to open or roll the windows down enough to escape through.
If rolling down your windows isn’t possible, you’ll need to shatter a window to escape.
Exit the Vehicle
After you successfully open a window or break it enough to escape, exit the vehicle and move to a safe location. Call 911 for help once you’re in the clear.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
