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When my recent story on wintertime car safety was posted to the HuffPost Instagram account, I couldn’t help but read the comments. I had interviewed my own mechanic and I wanted to see if his recommendations resonated with readers.
One item from the list kept coming up: a $10 emergency multitool that functions as a seatbelt cutter and glass car window breaker. If you’re in an accident or your car ends up in the water, this tool can help you sever your seatbelt or break your car window to get out.
Commenters shared stories of family members using the tool to escape from car accidents. Many said they were happy to have it with them in their ride. Some said they gave it as a gift to new car owners or just a practical present for loved ones that drive.
An emergency multitool that doubles as a seatbelt cutter and car window breaker (17% off)
This dual-headed safety hammer has been a strong seller with HuffPost readers and is finally under $10 again. It's made with a pointed spike with a protective cap, a flat-head hammer and a sharp blade to cut seatbelts. It has a 4.7-star rating, with reviews calling it a "must-have" and a handy tool for all drivers. Amazon user Andrew C. wrote that it sits "driver-side door well," so it's easy to grab in the case of an emergency. According to our price trackers, the orange option is closer to 17% off. It also comes in pink and glow-in-the-dark green.
Bottom line: A seatbelt cutter that could, potentially, save your life. A wonderful gift for regular drivers or a smart just-in-case safety measure for accidents.
Or, set of two glow-in-the dark safety hammers (17% off)
If your family has more than one car, this set of two emergency hammers gets you more for your dollar, and the green color glows in the dark, after being exposed to light. (Though this 2-pack also comes in pink and orange.) Amazon user Smora13 says they purchased this two-pack for an upcoming road trip. "It's a very inexpensive way to cover yourself in case of an accident where having a product like this handy might save your life or the life of someone you love," they wrote. This pair is also about 17% off, according to our trackers.
Promising review: "After a second friend got into an accident and was stuck in their car, I decided I should probably be prepared and have one of these. Like insurance, I think it is something you should have and hope you never need. I looked at a lot of these, and ended up choosing this one. Many of them seemed to be a bit too big to easily store within reach, or some like the spring loaded keychain models seemed to be too small and could be hard to find when you're upside down or sinking. These seems to be the perfect size to stow in a console compartment or door pocket. of course there is no way to test this without destroying your car, but it does look like it would do the job. I also like that it is a two pack so I get one for me and one for my wife." — smcphee23
A set of two seat belt cutters from Amazon Basics
Even Amazon has its own version of the emergency tool which boasts an impressive 4.7-star ranking. This pair of hammers also features a double-head with a seatbelt cutter on the handle. They each come with a protective bracket included for storing it safely in your car. “I had one of these for a long time in my car. This is one of those things you help you never have to use,” wrote a reviewer named Momoftwoboys1972, who explained that after using it once, they purchased it for everyone. “I came upon a rollover accident where the driver was trapped inside her vehicle. We used the window punch to get through the glass and the seatbelt cutter to cut her out safely.”
As my mechanic Carmen Campione previously told HuffPost, “people don’t realize how hard it is to break glass.” Car windows are stronger than you may think, and they can be extra hard to break when your car is compromised by an accident. Additionally, Campione said if you have a totally electric vehicle, your door handles may malfunction during an accident, meaning it can be impossible to get out without breaking the window.
Though she luckily hasn’t had to use it yet, parent and HuffPost follower Raquel Fletcher said she keeps a car multitool with her whenever she’s driving. “It has a razor-sharp cutting blade for car seats to get [a] child out in case of emergency,” she commented on the Instagram post.
Commenters shared that you should keep this device within arm’s reach of the driver’s seat — in the glove box, middle console or the side door. If you keep it in the trunk or backseat, it may be hard to reach during an emergency.
Promising reviews:
“I always struggle with thinking the worst thing could happen when driving with my kids in the car. This product has allowed me to stress less and feel more safe to have such an important tool in my car! Thank you.” — Summer Blubaugh
“This emergency escape tool is sturdy and useful for more than just breaking into or out of a vehicle or someone may be trapped. Just make sure you keep it where it can be reached if there is a crash. The life you save might be your own.” — Sandhills Complete Security
“This was a gift ! But when I saw it I was so glad I bought it for my loved ones” — JUS4JAS