Why Your Headrest Is Not the Best Way To Break A Car Window In An Emergency

When trapped in a car in case of an accident, fire, or going underwater, finding the best way to break a car window can save lives. Many people think using the headrest of their car seat is a good idea. But, there's a better way to do it that's faster and safer.

A fact to know: The headrest might not work well because it takes too much force to break tempered glass, at 24000 pounds per square inch of psi.  Plus, it takes time to remove it from the seat. Our blog will guide you through safer and quicker methods, like using a safety hammer or glass breaker.

These tools are made for such situations and can help you escape quickly.

Safety first—always. Keep reading for life-saving tips!

Key Takeaways

• Cars have two types of windows: tempered glass and laminated glass. Tempered glass breaks into small, safer pieces, while laminated glass has a vinyl layer that holds it together when shattered.
• Using a headrest to break a car window is not effective or safe. It requires too much force and isn't designed for breaking glass quickly in emergencies.
• Know why an emergency escape safety hammer is your best option for breaking car windows safely and quickly. These tools can shatter tempered glass with less effort and more precision.
• Keeping emergency window-breaking tools in your vehicle can be lifesaving in an accident or emergency situation where quick escape through a window is necessary.

Understanding Car Window Types

Cars have two main types of windows. One kind breaks into small pieces easily, and the other kind is tough and holds together when hit.

Tempered Glass

Tempered glass gets very hot, around 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and then cools down quickly. This process makes it much stronger than regular glass. It can handle a lot of pressure, at least 10,000 psi! Once it's made tough like this, you can't cut or drill into it anymore.

That's why you see tempered glass in car windows and other places that need strong glass. For example, it's also used in furniture outside on patios.

This type of safety glass is smart for cars because if it breaks, it shatters into small pieces without sharp edges. So if there's an accident or something hits the window hard enough to break it, the people inside the car are less likely to get hurt by big sharp pieces of glass.

Auto windows aren't all made with just one kind of safety glass though...

Laminated Glass

Moving from tempered glass, let's talk about laminated glass. This type of auto glass is what you find in windshields. Laminated glass has a special layer - think of it like a tough sandwich.

Between two pieces of glass sits a vinyl layer. This setup gives the windshield its strength. When something hits laminated glass hard, it might crack in all directions, making a spiderweb pattern.

But here's the cool part: it stays together instead of shattering.

This stick-together feature makes laminated glass great for keeping people safe inside the car during an accident. You won't find big, sharp pieces flying around because the vinyl keeps everything in place.

Plus, this kind of auto glass has another bonus - it’s better at holding up to heavy blows than tempered glass is.

The Ineffectiveness of Using a Headrest

Using a headrest to break a car window might seem smart, but it's not so effective. Headrests are for keeping your head safe during a ride, not for smashing glass.

Structural Limitations

Headrests seem sturdy enough to break a car window, but it takes a lot of energy to move them. 

Also, think about tempered or toughened glass in cars. This kind of glass needs a precise hit with something sharp to shatter safely. A headrest's end, even if metal-lined, may spread out the force too much and fail to crack through effectively.

Tools like emergency hammers or spring-loaded glass breakers are designed just right for this job—they focus a strong impact on a small area to get past those structural limits fast and safely.

Safety Concerns

In case of sudden impact, vehicle catching fire or going underwater, every second counts, you need to get out really fast. Imagine having to release your headrest (while underwater or if the car turns over) which by some accounts can get stuck .

That is just one issue, how about your seatbelt? You need to make sure you can get out of it no matter what. Your headrest cannot cut your seatbelt, but your escape tool can.

So What is the Best Tool for Breaking Car Windows?

In a pinch, you need the right tool to break a car window safely. An emergency escape hammer/glass breaker does the job fast. These tools are made for such moments—quick and effective for getting out of tough spots.

Safety Hammer

A safety hammer is a must-have tool for breaking tempered glass in emergencies. It's small, easy to keep in your car, and very powerful. This tool has a sharp carbide tip that can shatter window glass quickly.

Plus, it often comes with a seatbelt cutter. This makes the safety hammer great for two jobs: cutting you free from a stuck belt and getting you out through a broken window.

 

So, keeping these tools in your car could be a smart move for emergency situations.

Conclusion

Breaking a car window in an emergency is serious. You learned about tempered and laminated glass. We saw why pushing out your headrest might not work well—too much force, too slow.

Use a safety hammer or spring-loaded device instead; they're made for this job. Aim at the corner of the window, protect yourself with gloves and eye wear if you can. This advice could save time—and lives.

Think about it: Are you ready to act fast in an emergency? Take steps now to prepare. Your actions could make all the difference.

FAQs

1. What's the best tool for breaking a car window in an emergency?

The ideal tool for breaking tempered glass, like that used in car windows, is not your headrest but a glass breaker with a seatbelt cutter. Its strong carbide tip can shatter tempered glass with a tap plus it has a seatbelt cutter to free yourself real quick.

2. Why isn't using my headrest the most effective way to break my car window?

While you might think that using your head restraint would be efficient, it often requires more force than expected to shatter tempered glass. Plus, removing it can waste precious time during emergencies.

3. How much force does it take to break a car window from inside?

Breaking a car window from inside needs significant force at about 5 to 15 pounds or 24,000 psi specifically on double-glazed or wire mesh glass which are tougher than common glasses 

4. Can I use chargers or other items present in my vehicle to break the windows during an emergency?

Most likely no – unlike an escape hammer which has a sharp point that can concentrate force onto one spot; chargers and other common items lack this feature making them less effective against toughened safety glasses found in vehicles.