This "consumer convenience" doesn't have to be a killer. Why haven't the American car companies adopted the safer system as in Toyota's cars. If they are knelt on or pushed accidentally as a child's head or hand is in the way, the window only goes down. It's quite simple really. Posted by: Gayle Howe | Mar 21, 07 06:42 PM

I think it is terrible. But how will this fair for car thieves and hijackers who hold you at gun point. First line of defence is to try to put up the window - this cannot happen if all they have to do is stick their arm or gun in the car and the window will open right back up! The option of auto reverse should be just that - an OPTION on top of the powerful windows. If children are passengers, the driver can choose to engage the auto reverse windows, other than that - I prefer the safety of a strong power window. Posted by: Ottawa Viewer | Mar 21, 07 06:45 PM

Why is it that the media is focusing so much attention on blaming the car manufacturers when it should be the parents’ responsibility not to leave their children unattended in running vehicles? If the woman in Calgary hadn't left her two young children in her running car her daughter would still be alive. Why is no one putting the message accross that you should never leave your child unattended? Are we supposed to blame others for everything that goes wrong in our lives and not take responsibility for our own actions? Posted by: Leah Jones | Mar 21, 07 06:47 PM

When looking for a vehicle I always make sure that the driver side has an automatic window lock for all windows... that way your children do not have access to moving the window up and down. I think it is an excellent security. Posted by: Tania | Mar 21, 07 06:55 PM

WAke up people and stop making everyone else responsible for our kids. All cars with power windows have what is called a power lock that I have used to keep my kids safe and not able to play with the window. THe point is dont leave kids alone with the motor running, how many kids have died from putting the car out of gear and been killed or hurt. People lets be responsible and take control of what is going on around us and stop making government, car manufacturers and society the scape goat for what we did not do to be responsible. Posted by: V Mac Isaac | Mar 21, 07 06:59 PM

I feal sorry for these Mothers who lost their children, BUT THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LEFT UNATTENTED IN THE CAR. I have always taken my children into where ever I was going, no matter how short of time I was going to be. It is so easy to BLAME someone else for our MISTAKES. I just wanted to let you know how I felt. Suzette Posted by: Suzette MacKinnon | Mar 21, 07 07:05 PM

I was very interested in your show. I drive a 2000 Chrysler Cirrus. It has power windows and a special feature on the drivers windows. You click once and the window automaticly goes down so when you go to a drive thru for coffee etc, you don't have to hold the button. I wonder how much extra that was to install!! I will be more aware now with my grandkids in the car. I never used the lock button, normally there are only two adults in the car and it is annoying to ask for them to be unlocked. I will definately use it now that I saw your show. Good luck with your fight. I fought to get a Bill passed in Parliament and it took me 10 years. So don't give up!!! Posted by: Julia Buote | Mar 21, 07 07:11 PM

All the foofarah about power windows could probably be settled in either of two ways: Don't buy vehicles with power windows, or make it law that you simply can't leave children alone in a vehicle. Common sense. Period. Posted by: Robert lane | Mar 21, 07 07:11 PM

I was very proud of these parents for actively putting themselves out there so that other children may not die the way their children did.It could not have been easy. As humans it is easy to judge them, when we all know we have made errors as parents, or had close calls. Many new gadgets have come on the market to help ensure our childrens safety over the decades. If car companies can put in air pillows, why not a $10 gadget that may save a child's life. The parents have been through plenty and live with this daily. Just add the feature and stop punishing them further. Automatic doors and elevators have this feature. I can honestly say as a parent, I thought of fingers getting caught, but I never did think of a head getting caught. My hearts goes out to you parents and we should all fight for the kids. Posted by: Dolores Fineberg | Mar 21, 07 07:12 PM

I was watching the report on power windows and the ability they have to kill small children. I will first say that it is always a tragic loss when it comes to anyone who loses a child and I can not imagine, as a parent, losing a child. However, I am thoroughly disgusted in the way we have come to be as a society. Blaming a mechanical device and/or a manufacturer and lobby to implement procedures for safety because our society is too lazy to do the right thing is not fair. Does it make sense to leave a child that young in a vehicle with no parents? No. Is their not automatic locking control for the all of the windows? Yes. Should a child of that age not be restrained in a car seat when in the vehicle? Yes. I feel that as a society we seem to know longer have common sense. We are so quick to blame some one else, instead of taking the responsibility for our own actions. We all need to start talking responsibility for our actions and stop the blaming game. Posted by: Alison Chard | Mar 21, 07 07:12 PM

While I empathize with the parents who have lost children due to power windows, I agree with the argument raised by automaker lobbyists. The only safety feature needed in these tragic instances is totally free-REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION! Would you let your 2 year old drive your car? Essentially, that is what it boils down to. Posted by: Kelly W | Mar 21, 07 07:12 PM

I have been a long time supporter / fan of Marketplace, but this story is the worst piece you have ever done. The ONLY reason why babies / kids get killed in power windows is that parents leave them unattended in a running vehicle. Another result of this stupidity by parents is that the car can be put in gear, resulting in injuries to others. Here is the real solution to the problem: 1) Warning labels on all power windows. 2) Automatic fine & demerit points for owners of vehicles left running unattended, with kids inside. 3) Charge parents of killed kids in these accidents with vehicular manslaughter. I wonder how many people would get injured by car jackers attempting to get in a vehicle while the owner would be trying to close the power window with an unsafe "safety" feature like the one suggested on your program. Don't make cars less safe for the majority of responsible people who don't leave kids unattended in running vehicle. What a disappointing story you did. Tsk, Tsk! Posted by: Robert Remillard | Mar 21, 07 07:18 PM

I blame the parents for these deaths. What parent would leave there kid in a car unattended with it running, regardless if they strapped in a car seat or not. Your job as a parent is to protect your children no matter what the cost. My vehicle is locked unless we are leaving right away and even then the kids are put in and we leave right away, if I need to exit the vehicle the car is turned off. You cannot blame the auto industry for the parent neglet of there own children. What next, blame stove makers because the elements are hot and your kid touches the elements and get burned? Posted by: Alex | Mar 21, 07 07:18 PM

Maybe we should stop trying to make manufacturers accountable for our mistakes. I personally appreciate for my hour commute, the safety of knowing my window will go up with force if needed. Bottom line, Parents should have sense enough to NEVER leave their children in a vehicle alone. It is unfortunate that these accidents occured, but people have to be accountable for their actions if negligent. I appreciate the intent of your program, that is to stop needless deaths and injury. The other side of the coin is how many lives are saved by having a window operate in this fashion? Some cars have safeguards in place, again it all boils down to making responsible choices!! Posted by: Shelly | Mar 21, 07 07:24 PM

I watched your piece on power windows! And I am very upset that these people have turned on the very things that most if not all consumers expect in automobiles today(bells & whistles).I understand their loss but we as parents which I am and also a grandparent,we must not and should not put our small ones at risk no matter how minor or major it may be, are our lives so rushed that we have to have someone else do our thinking and our planning ahead for us?When it comes to automobiles I have worked in the automotive service industry for approx. 30 yrs. The one thing that I would change if I could is to have customers read and UNDERSTAND the vehicle's owers and operators manual before they drive them off the lot.An automobile is no different than a lawn tractor it is a piece of machinery that is very dangerous when not used properly.As for all these children that have died or injured by power windows it is the adults that are totally responsible, because for all vechile's power windows to operate the ignition must be on, children in running vehicle's or left alone is just irresponsible of the ADULTS no if's and's or but's.Will someone please stand up and say enough is enough and if you purchase anything that might be a danger to our little ones please make sure that you know the hazzards and precautions.And no matter how busy our live's are 1 second is too long to leave a child alone in a running vehicle.Will you please forward this to all parties concerned with this report on your show!And please don't put a price tag on our children's lives for they are precious and in OUR hands. Thank You. Posted by: kerry oickle | Mar 21, 07 07:35 PM

As a parent I sympathsize with any parent who has lost a child. I don't feel that the car manufacturers should be held accountable for every issue that occurs with a motor vehicle. The parents still have a obligation to their children to keep them SAFE. Posted by: Bill | Mar 21, 07 07:43 PM

Where are the mothers when this stuff is happening? Why is always someone's else fault? Posted by: Tino | Mar 21, 07 07:45 PM

i am watching this episode and becoming increasingly irritated. the key is to not leave the kids unattended - period. if the children were under the watchful eye of an adult few of these incidents would occur. my car (a hyundai) has a window lock so that the windows cannot be operated except from the driver's position. it is not the fault of the car company or the window company and it is high time we as a society stopped looking for others to blame and accepted responsibility for what we do or do not do. Posted by: Jackie Dodd | Mar 21, 07 07:46 PM

I'm sorry for what happened to little Sienna and any other child who is left unsupervised by their parent. But, when will we put the responsibility back on the parents and stop blaming the car manufacturers? Have you taken into consideration the women who may be saved from an attack by power windows? I suspect that an attacker can be stopped or at least delayed, by a power window going up, long enough to allow a woman to drive off or make enough noise to get help. Instead, because some parents don't heed the warnings, that have been there for years to watch their children and not leave them in the car alone, you want to make it easy for the attacker to get all the way in by making a car window like a garage door? No thank you!! Posted by: K. Jones | Mar 21, 07 07:47 PM

I think what has happened to the poor children injured and killed by power windows is truly tragic! BUT, isn't it common sense to NEVER leave children unattended in a vehicle??? The problem is not with the auto makers, but with parenting! I argue that it is a safety feature to not have the auto reverse on the windows. As a single woman, I would feel very unsafe if I knew that someone could reach into my window and stop it from closing! The parents should be charged for leaving their kids alone in the car! It's simply bad parenting! Posted by: Gillian | Mar 21, 07 07:52 PM

Indeed, the auto-reverse feature should become standard. However, it amazes me that Americans can make a fuss about power-window accidents while they continue to keep guns legal. How many thousands of accidental deaths per year have guns to blame? There seems to be a lack of a sense of priorities here. Posted by: D. Lysy | Mar 21, 07 07:56 PM

This is insane. this show has completely missed the big the picture. it is not the carmakers fault any more than it is their fault when people get into car accidents. i mean really, it is the PARENTS FAULT not the car company. if you leave your child in a car with the engine running you might as well leaave your child in a kitchen with all the appliances running and sharp knifes on the counter. stop blaming everyone else for your mistakes and take responsibilty for your actions. Posted by: mike lawrence | Mar 21, 07 07:57 PM

I am concerned about child safety and cars, but I am also concerned about driver/passenger safety. I would not feel safe if I was being threatened and was not able to raise my power window. Mandatory reverse will not solve the problem of parental surpervision so the 'pull-up' style, which a child would lack the strength to sustain the operation, will prevent a child from steppimg on the control and causing an untimely accident. Showing the representative from Transport Canada a picture of a deceased child is innappropriate. It is not mandatory to buy a vehicle with power windows. Posted by: H. Breck | Mar 21, 07 07:58 PM

I think its tragic children are getting killed and injured,but I wonder why so much energy is being spent on manufacturers changing thier product instead of talking about the real problem,parents leaving thier children alone in vehicles.I have a 19 year old daughter who was never ever left in a vehicle alone for even a second(no matter how BUSY I thought I was).Her saftey was always more important than any work or errand I had to do.It only takes a second to take your child with you. Posted by: David McFarlane | Mar 21, 07 07:58 PM

What a Load... your report was so totally wrong. I want to know why the parents aren't in jail for there neglect? Leaving a child in a vehicle everybody knows it's wrong much less a running vehicle. It's a shame that people are so stupid that they have to have the government run there lives.make toast in the tub then sue.....maybe it's natures way of weeding out the stupid ones. Posted by: Bob Laird | Mar 21, 07 07:59 PM

Great show on power window safety. How about addressing the issue of power sliding doors. We have a mini-van with 2 power sliding doors which are supposed to stop and back up but it takes an awful lot of pull to get them to stop. We looked but could not find manual sliding doors on vans made by the company. We haven't had an accident with them but I bet there have been a some. Do the auto manufactures think we as a society are so lazy we can't manage to open windows and doors anymore? Posted by: Tricia | Mar 21, 07 07:59 PM

I just watched your show on power windows and although I feel very sad that any children have died or been hurt, I can't go along with the responsibility being placed on the auto manufacturers. I am unaware of any power window system that operates without the vehicle running or at least the keys in the ignition. NOT leaving children unattended in a running vehicle seems to be a no-brainer for most responsible parents. Realizing the many dangers of such a stupid decision ie, the children could put the vehicle in gear, someone could steal the vehicle and the chidren, the children could leave the vehicle..... how many reasons does one need to act with a little intelligence. Maybe there should be a legislation against neglect, child endangerment and stupidity. I own a VW with the auto-reverse windows and I would still never leave a child unattended in a running vehicle. I have also found that the auto-reverse windows will lower themselves when you don't want, like when the tracks get dirty with salt and road film, or when the mechanism is stiff or cold. Auto manufacturers would put themselves in a very precarious position of liability for any muggings, robberies, or car-jackings related to the windows opening freely for intruders just with a finger. I think the same would be said for any government body that legislates a law making it mandatory. As I watched your show, Ms. Clinton was speaking in front of a sign about 50 children a year are killed by vehicles backing up over them, do they plan on legislating reverse gear from cars just because people don't properly pay attention when backing up...it's close to the same thing as legislating auto-reverse because people are too stupid to turn off the car and take their children with them. Posted by: R.A.Murray | Mar 21, 07 08:00 PM

I understand this is killing children, but you need to do just more then install auto reverse. You need to have a way to turn the auto reverse on and off. If my car had been equiped with auto reverse I would be dead right now. Someone came at me though my window with a knife and I had to jam there hand in it. You can't save lives by sacrificing other lives. I do agree with making this law, but not untill auto makers can let me turn it off. I would never buy a car with this feature, I would not feel safe. Posted by: Matt | Mar 21, 07 08:00 PM

why would any company put cup heaters and coolers ,butt warmers and coolers before child safety?they could even make it an option or old fashioned cranks an option.everyone says not us ,but a single mistake can make it you.50 bucks a car ,you spend more for a fill up Posted by: helen | Mar 21, 07 08:01 PM

Is there a list of car models that have auto-reverse windows? North American car manufacturers are always complaining about foreign competition. Maybe giving another reason for car buyers to buy foreign will help spur NA manufacturers to add the feature. Posted by: Gary Walsh | Mar 21, 07 08:02 PM

The automotive industry has already changed to install pull-up levers for windows. This stops an unattended child from raising the window by standing on the switch. The only way a child can be harmed or die with the new switch is if someone else pulls the switch. I would much rather see a lock-out system where the windows cannot be raised or lowered without the key in the ignition, than have auto-reverse windows. I do not have children. I have products which need the window to be put up with the best possible fit. I am also a single woman who has needed to raise the window in an emergency due to a security situation. My life would have been in danger with the auto-reverse. I do NOT want auto-reverse windows. Plain and simple: supervise the children or lock them OUT of the vehicle. Why does the rest of the world have to accommodate bad parenting? There is far too much lack of accountability already. What more do they need to know: leave your children alone in a vehicle and they may die. It's simple. Stop leaving them alone in vehicles. Sandra Jackson Posted by: Sandra Jackson | Mar 21, 07 08:03 PM

I am absolutely disgusted in your take on this issue! When I was a child we were NEVER left alone inside a car because it wasn't a safe place! Everyone is always looking to blame someone else! I firmly agree with the gentleman speaking on behalf of the auto industry, that was against Auto-reverse for crimal reasoning. I think that whether the 'part' is only $8. is not the auto industry's problem. It is always the parents responsiblity to make safe the child. Yes, what happened to these children is horrible. Let's be more acceptable and move forward rather than sit back and blame. Never should a child be left alone in a car! It is against the law. Posted by: P. Pellerin | Mar 21, 07 08:05 PM

If you revisit this subject please mention garage doors which also reverse,though a power garage door which does not reverse would usually damage a car... Posted by: Ken Andrews | Mar 21, 07 08:07 PM

I just watched your show on power windows. I can't believe your take on it. I raised 2 kids & they both survived just fine with power windows. I don't want to trivialize the death of a child but this is entirely the fault of the parents. For 18 years if my kids were in the car I had the keys in my pocket. That means the windows won't move, the transmision won't come out of park, even the lighter won't work. You make everyone do that & there is no problem. Would you leave your child in the pool to answer the phone? Would you let them ride a tricycle down the middle of the road? A ladder leaning against the house? They'll do it all & more, Parents have to USE THEIR HEAD. As for the reversing windows, I don't want that for the very reason the auto guy said; my safety. If someone is trying to assault me I want to crush his fingers. Your way off base this time. Posted by: G.P | Mar 21, 07 08:11 PM

There is another danger from power windows and locks. A few years ago there was a rare accident in Argentina, a young man was driving an expensive European car on a flooded highway suddenly the engine stalled and all the doors functions died as the control computer got wet. He managed to call for help but it arrived too late as the car was swept to a ditch and unable to get out of the car. Posted by: Carlos O'Donell | Mar 21, 07 08:11 PM

Erica, I do agree that this is a tragedy, a child losing their life is something that touches everyone. But I feel that you are missing the point here; you are chastising the automobile industry and Transport Canada for being irresponsible in not installing reversable windows in their vehicles. Isn't the true irresponsible party in this matter the mother who left their infant and small child in a vehicle unattended with that vehicle still running for 15 minutes? A child can get in trouble in seconds, any parent knows this. If the mother would have done the responsible thing by taking the children inside with her, or even turned off the vehicle, this tragedy would have been avoided. Posted by: Tim Watson | Mar 21, 07 08:12 PM

After watching the show, i verified both our cars (models 2006 and 2007) and found out that one of the two vehicles does not have the auto reverse feature. I believe that we should force transport Canada to enforce this feature in all vehicles no matter what the cost is. in the end the consumer will pick up the tap anyway. I would rather my children be safe than sorry. Posted by: Tamer Yacoub | Mar 21, 07 08:13 PM

Edit to my previous comment: According to Motor Vehicle Safety Act, these windows cannot lower or raise without the key being in the ignition. So this means these parents are leaving the children in the vehicle unsupervised WITH the keys in the ignition? This is a child-snatching opportunity just waiting to happen! What are they thinking? Posted by: Sandra Jackson | Mar 21, 07 08:17 PM

This past summer I had the misfortune of having a finger caught in the power window of our car. I was stunned and shocked at the force of the window and the amount of pain and damage that was incurred. As soon as the window was retracted, grimacing in obvious pain, I said to my wife "thank goodness it was my finger and not Emelene's" (our then four-year-old daughter). She could not believe the damage done to my finger, having the nail pretty much crushed. I began my own crusade telling anyone who would listen of the danger of power windows. Still, some people actually had a good laugh at my misfortune. I hope they saw your program tonight and have finally grasped an understanding of the potential danger these windows possess. And really, for an extra bit of money/car to install the auto-retract safety window, I can't see how Transport Canada can not mandate this feature on each vehicle sold in this country. For goodness sakes charge me the extra cost and I'll gladly pay it! Maybe I should show Transport Canada my new nail (middle finger on the left). Posted by: Mike Rosen | Mar 21, 07 08:17 PM

The very title of this article; "Power windows: a consumer convenience responsible for killing dozens of children" says a lot about our society today. Windows are NOT "responsible" for these deaths, neither are the vehicle manufacturers. I am very sorry for the loss and heartache to all concerned. It is tragic. But - we cannot continue to put the blame on something, or someone else for our mistakes! Leaving children unattended in a vehicle, is just plain irresponsible; and yes, a mistake. A potentially life changing mistake; but that is simply what it is! Has anyone considered the flip side to the auto reversing window? Car Jackers will no doubt love them! No chance of getting that open window closed onced a hand (or gun) is in the way! Who is going to be held responsible for a death or injury from that? The simple fact is that these deaths are, indeed preventable; and no change to vehicle windows is neccessary! Common sense is! Posted by: Jacqueline | Mar 21, 07 08:22 PM

Re; your show Wednesday March 21/07. My heart goes out to the parents of those children who were killed by the power windows. At first thought, I thought the automatic reverse windows would be an excellent idea. However, in todays world of car jackings and panhandlers,and road rage, could you imagine stopping to give someone directions, only to find out that that person means to harm you. you try and do your window up, and all they have to do is put there hand in and your out of luck. I am afraid that in trying to avoid harm to children, we will inadvertantly open the danger to everyone. The vehicles I have been in with power windows have also had window locks, perhaps if people are leaving their children in a car, they should put the window lock on, or buy vehicles that aren't equipped with power windows. I understand the advantages of power windows, but those along with power locks also have great disadvantages, especially if you end up with a dead battery. Posted by: una wagner | Mar 21, 07 08:34 PM

(Part 1) Where does the parental responsibility lie when it comes to a childs safety. It does not lie in the hands of the automobile manufacturer nor the rest of the general population. As a parent I have NEVER left my children nor anyone elses unattended in a vehicle expecially with the keys in the ignition and the vehicle running. Every action deserves a reaction and it does not take much of a thought process especally since everyone has grown up with power windows and everyone knows the force these windows go up with to know they can and have caused injuries in the past due to stupidity. The reasons behind the force is very simple to understand. If the window has ice build up it requires the extra force. If someone was trying to gain access to my vehicle I have a lot of reasurance knowing I can push the button and the perpetrator is either scrambling to get clear or has a trapped hand in my window. Quit looking for a scape goat and own up to your own responsibilities. Stop trying to sue automobile manufacturers and look in the mirror. If the windows are such a threat then buy a car with manual windows. We are being safetyed to death with all the law suits in North America, predominantly the States. I feel as a greiving parent myself for these parents who have lost a child through their own negligance but they have to own up to their own actions and ADMIT they are the cause and NOT the vehicle. (I will send the rest of this message as part 2) Posted by: Mary Morrisey | Mar 21, 07 08:39 PM

Wow, that sure is a tragedy. On the one hand, I really feel for those mothers who lost their children, but on the other hand I can understand the car manufacturers' rationale that reverse power windows would be easier for thieves to get in. Why not opt for the old-fashioned crank windows instead? Posted by: Paul Sallmen | Mar 21, 07 08:39 PM

(Part 2)The windows DO NOT functions without the keys in the igniton and the vehicle running end of. How did they ever survive their own childhood. Maybe they should make it a law for these STUPID parents not to own a vehicle with power windows or even own a vehicle. They can cab it or take public transit. Is it not illegal to leave a child unattended in a vehicle let a lone a running vehicle? These parents should be grateful they are not on manslaughter charges and their other children in children's aid. I am apalled this issue is even up for discussion. As a child in the 60's when my parents bought a 1967 Chevelle Malibu with power windows the first thing my dad did was take my brother, sister and myself out to the driveway and he had us try to stop the window from going up. I was only 7 1/2yrs old and it was impossible, he then told us to have a healthy respect these windows if used improperly can and will cause injury, be aware! This was back in the day when seat belts were not manditory. I think maybe these young immature parents should go back to school and get some serious life skills. I'm surprised a show like Marketplace and a national TV station such as the CBC would even give this issue air time. Think about it! Posted by: Mary Morrisey | Mar 21, 07 08:40 PM

I'm Sorry about the children who have lost their lives to electric window. What really needs to happen is adults need to take a exam before having kids. We have brake peddles that need to be depressed before being placed into Gear. We have latches in the truncks so kids can get out. We now have electric window switches that you need to pull up. People need to take responsablity for their own actions. Do not leave your car running when you leave your kids unsupervised. Take your keys. Take your kids. you had them, your responsable for them, Not the auto industy. I do not want windows that go down because something gets in the way. I want them there so I can drop them off at the closes police station. Posted by: David Phillips | Mar 21, 07 08:44 PM

While watching I thought why can't the north american automakers follow the lead of the off shore makers. I have a 2000 Subaru and to lift the winndow you pull up on the level and downward pressue puts the window down. Pretty simple Posted by: Larry Daboll | Mar 21, 07 08:46 PM

Yes, okay, it's sad kids have died as a result of a freak accident involving power windows. But at the risk of sounding completely insensitive: I think it's even sadder that this is getting so much attention when there are more important, widespread problems out there. This is something that can be largely prevented by, shockingly enough, not leaving young kids alone in or around vehicles. Posted by: andy | Mar 21, 07 08:55 PM

What about the responsibility of the parent? The real issue here is not the safety of the windows but the lack of supervision by the parent. Would we leave a two year old with a power tool or an electric knife? I agree that the auto makers can make efforts to improve the safety of power windows but these improved safety measures appear to create false expectations of safety for the individuals who are ultimately in control of meeting the needs of their children. Posted by: Jennifer Suchorab | Mar 21, 07 08:56 PM

I strongly believe it is the responsibility of the parents to not leave children unattended in cars. This seems obvious. The car makers should not be held responsible for the use of power windows in their vehicles. Posted by: Roza | Mar 21, 07 08:58 PM

Though I find it tragic that these children died, I think that the auto manufacturer made a good point. If this production change is implimented, will marketplace be doing another story in a few years about people who have been attacked because rapists and carjackers were able to simply reach in a car window and force it down?I have two children of my own, so I can certainly empathize with these situations. But I would never leave my children alone in a running vehicle. Manufacturers should not be used as scape goats for poor decisions. I also think the story was unfair to the manufacturers implying they don't care. What about the trunk release now in all GM vehicles? this was not mandated, but intruduced to save the lives of children/people who have been trapped in trunks, again, children that were not being properly supervised, and with the R&D; that went into that safety feature, I believe the cost was probably alot more than $40 per vehicle, but they did it!!! What will be next? installing automatic air conditioning that senses the presence of a person to address people who leave their children in the car during the summer to prevent them from dying of heat exhaustion? At some point we need to stop blaming industries and start making parents responsible. thank you Posted by: P Kennedy | Mar 21, 07 08:58 PM

So first of all i would like to say we all know that power windows can cause injuries. We also know that a car door can cause an injury, Does this mean we need to redesign the way car doors close? Common sense has told us as parents dont leave your child unatended in a vehicle. If a child was left in a running vehicle while it was parked in a garage should we lobby for some kind of automatic door opener to know when the car is running? or to have the motor automatically shut off? No we implement common sense. I am not saying that the auto reverse on windows would be a bad thing, I myself have had incidence of pinching a finger in a power window by mistake, but lets get real people, the problem here is not power windows that have been in vehicles for over 30 years, the real problem here is parents are getting more and more neglectful of there children. Too often kids are left in running vehicles or not supervised properly in general. It seems that all the toys and tools that our generation grew up on and had fun with are now un-safe, maybe all children should be place in a bubble at birth and then released at 18 but then again parents would be required to get them into that bubble... Again we are back at the Responsibility of the parent. Posted by: Jason | Mar 21, 07 09:06 PM

Every vehicle with power windows I have been you need the ignition key on to lower or raise the power window. If that is the case with all vehicles on the the market (and I belive that it is) than why are people allowing cildren to play in vehicles with the keys in the ignition and turned on? After watching the show I will not buy a vehicle with the auto reverse. The reason being is that when somebody tries to reach in the vehicle (with the intent to harm or steal) I would like to be able to close the window on there arm, rather than the window touching ther arm and opening back up to give them free access. Posted by: Brian Rozendaal | Mar 21, 07 09:08 PM

Nice article, however the show did not address the basic principle - the POWER. Take the power away from the car, without keys, you remove the power to kill. "Auto Reverse" is a nice idea, but what about a car-jacking? And I don't know about all cities, but where I come from people can be charged when they leave a dog in the car, why are small children any different? This is child neglect, I have 2 small children of my own, and this is a tragedy, I do agree. Something should be done to protect these children, and unfortunately, you don't need to pass a test or apply for a license to have children of your own. How can anyone leave a child alone in a vehicle to begin with, let alone to leave the keys in it? Accidents happen eveywhere, not just in a car. People need to supervise their children, bottom line! Posted by: Sarah Sutton | Mar 21, 07 09:29 PM

I have just finished viewing the program on automatic windows and the devastation they cause to children and their families. You mentioned that some luxury cars now come equiped with the automatic safety feature that reverses the power windows that could save children's lives. I own a 2004 Nissan Altima 2.5S. This is by no means considered a luxury car but a family car, in the $25,000 range. Standard equipment on my Nissan Altima comes with the reverse power window buttons as well as the reversing power windows. I feel if the manufacturers of these vehicles were to advertise more strongly that these features were available as standard equipment other manufacturers would get on board. Posted by: Larry Harrison | Mar 21, 07 09:29 PM

I was devastated by your documentary Power to Kill. I have always detested power windows and locks, primarily in the event of failure casued by freezing temperatures or mechanical breakdown. As a mother of a 2.5 year old, I am now paranoid. I am guilty of running into the corner store for milk, leaving my toddler safely secured in her car seat. I will never leave her unattended again. This broadcast was a rude awakening. My heart goes out to those parents who have suffered such tragedy for a mere $8.00 retractable window feature. There is no excuse for this not to be legislated. Posted by: Jodie Cavanagh | Mar 21, 07 09:31 PM

To start, I am sorry these people lost their children, however, we should not be going to the government to babysit us and force auto manufacturers to put auto reverse windows in vehicles. Quite simply, being a parent means being responsible. It is unacceptable to leave a child unattended in a vehicle whether the power in the vehicle is on or off. It isn't just the power window issue. How many times have vehicles been stolen from the corner store with kids left unattended in the backseat. Too many. People need to realize how precious their kids are and they must constantly be alert for the potential dangers around them. My vehicle has a warning specifically stating not to leave children unattended in a car with power windows. That is all the auto manufacturers should be required to do. They state in the manual,and on the window visors, not to place children under 12 in the front seat of a vehicle that has an airbag yet I see it all the time. Again, irresponsible and unacceptable. Common sense must prevail. As said in your episode, it only takes seconds. Parents must always be aware that those seconds can change their lives forever. Posted by: Todd | Mar 21, 07 09:32 PM

One thing this report failed to mention is that power windows typically do not work at all unless the key is in the ignition and is positioned in an on state. The report portrayed this problem as happening when the parent is not an occupant of the vehicle and thus unable to help should the unthinkable happen. But for it to happen in the first place the parent would have to leave the keys in the vehicle. That means that the child could also potentially start the vehicle and put it into motion, something which I think most would agree does border on neglect, and is presumably what the automobile industry was referring to when they said as such. Posted by: John | Mar 21, 07 09:56 PM

It is unfortunate that these parents have lost their children under such tragic circumstances. However, we feel that as parents they had an obligation to supervise their children better. Any responsible parent knows that anything can happen within minutes to a child not being supervised. Any responsible parent knows enough not to leave a child unattended in a vehicle, ever! We agree that for $8 per window this feature should be installed in vehicles, however, we feel that these parents want to put blame elsewhere, instead of blaming themselves for neglect. Is it not against the law to leave children unattended in an idling vehicle? These parents should be put to justice, not the automotive industries. Posted by: Kevin | Mar 21, 07 09:57 PM

Wow. The parents admit they messed up by leaving their children alone in a running vehicle but they still blame the car company. If they really want that feature, it should be an option that they pay for. I personally don't want that feature in my vehicle, because it really is a security threat. If i get assaulted because a criminal can cause my window to reopen at will I'll sue Mrs Clinton herself. Posted by: Raegoul | Mar 21, 07 09:58 PM

I just watched this story and I have a huge problem with these people complaining. If the auto-reversing windows only cost 8-10 dollars a window maybe these people should look into the after market auto reversing systems instead of complaing and lobying automakers. The American Automakers have enough financial trouble with out having to spend an extra 700 million dollars a year to outfit every single new car with these windows. Or maybe you should go buy a high end car with these windows. Posted by: Bob S | Mar 21, 07 10:02 PM

Whether or not you have small children, this should concern you. Your new car may someday be sold to a family with small children thus putting them at risk. Mowever, if the domestic auto industry isn't looking out for you, why should you look out for them. So, until the auto reversing windows are legislated, parents should simply seek out the safer used european vehicles. Posted by: Keith | Mar 21, 07 10:02 PM

I just watched this story and I have a huge problem with these people complaining. If the auto-reversing windows only cost 8-10 dollars a window maybe these people should look into the after market auto reversing systems instead of complaing and lobying automakers. The American Automakers have enough financial trouble with out having to spend an extra 700 million dollars a year to outfit every single new car with these windows. Or maybe you should go buy a high end car with these windows. Posted by: Bob S | Mar 21, 07 10:02 PM

I would like to say that if the car makers can put everything else in a car such as your car parking for you it put in safety for the windows .. Posted by: Megan | Mar 21, 07 10:05 PM

Yet another example of parents not taking responsibility. DO NOT leave your children alone! In a running car!! Power windows are but one of MANY dangers in a running car - cigarette lighters, put the car in gear and drive into/over something/someone, has the child ever seen mom or dad 'push the blue button' (OnStar) and now, while mom and dad are away they're going to push it and see what happens. Operator 'do you need help?' What do you think the child is going to say? Yes, its tragic but.... That 'nasty auto guy' makes a very good point. If you are about the be assaulted/car jacked and you hit the UP button, you expect the window is going to go UP. How about some research on how many people are assaulted/carjacked/killed each year by the perpetrator reaching in through an open window? Oh, wait! How many kids have had their hands/limbs caught in doors? Not just in cars, but in houses? I think we ought to have 'safe' doors! You close it, it touches anything (the foot of the unwanted person at your front door perhaps?) and POP! It opens again! It's time for parents to take responsibility for their actions. Final point - Interviewing that poor woman so soon after the loss of her child was at the very least extremely uncaring. Posted by: William Lane | Mar 21, 07 10:05 PM

Do not leave your kids in the car with the keys. I think a lot of the blame for these accidents lies with the parents. The lever type switchs are a major improvement. I would be worried that a faulty automatic reverse would cause a window to stay open in a rainstorm or blizzard, that would be dangerous. Posted by: Rob Walker | Mar 21, 07 10:09 PM

Perhaps neglectful parents shouldn't be allowed to have power windows. There are many situations where if a child is left unattended the child's saftey will be at risk. There is a simple device already in place to protect the chidren, the ignition key, simply remove it and you remove the risk. Posted by: Dave A. | Mar 21, 07 10:21 PM

After watching your episode "The Power to Kill", I am compelled to ask myself what happened to personal accountability? What happened to those children was a terrible tragedy. While it is true that their deaths were preventable, they were not a result of negligence by the car manufacturers, but a result of poor parenting. It is extremely dangerous to leave a young child alone in a car whether it is equipped with power windows or not. There are many ways a child can become injured or killed when left in a car unattended. Why are we as a society always looking to lay the blame for our mistakes on any and everyone else. I can guarentee that if the auto reverse feature becomes manditory there will be greater out rage the first time a woman is murdered because she was unable to block an attacker coming through her window. Parents: that quick jaunt into the corner store may cost you more than you are willing to pay! Posted by: Alison Sutton | Mar 21, 07 10:24 PM

I did watch your program on "the power to kill". You seem to place a lot of responsibility onto the auto maker. What happens to the responsibility of the parent? I agree with the response of the auto maker who said that it may be a safety issue "if one attacks you and gets his hands into the window opening the window will reverese." I would prefere a choice of auto revers or total closing. This way one cannot get back at the auto maker. The old saying "it is easier to get children than to take care of them" still applies here. Parents need to be more accountable to what they are doing. In all my life I have never left my children alone in a car or even let a car run. I also know that cars have been stolen with kids in it. J. P. Posted by: Josef Poeppl | Mar 21, 07 10:31 PM

Having a volvo S40 you think of safty.....as always, when the weather is nice the kids want their windows down. I don't like them too low.....because you never know. So when my then 3 year old daughter had her hand just out of the window I thought nothing of it. Only when I had to put the window up, I heard such a scream as her fingers had got caught in the side part of the window. I thought she was over reacting but it wasn't until I tried it on myself that I realised how much it did hurt and that how dangerous it was. I found tonights program very interesting and think that ALL vehicles should have the auto reverse system as standard. Posted by: Julie Swift | Mar 21, 07 10:32 PM

I watched this interpretation of the news tonight and was very disappointed. These so called mothers placed a higher priority on their careers than their children. Purely unintensionally but most definitely. It didn't take 4 seconds for this child to strangle her self. How many two year olds do you know can immediately unbuckle themselves from a so called approved car seat, roll the window down and then trap themselves? For passer by to observe a color change would also take another few minutes especially if the child was unconcious. This woman left her children for a substantial amount of time and is looking to absolve herself. It's unfortunate that it cost a life. It's also unfortunate that this woman can so easily point a finger. What upsets me most is that Marketplace can so easily paint a picture of the evil car manufactures. What was she thinking? Bottom line she wasn't. Send the ambulance chasers packing. Posted by: Terry Hysert | Mar 21, 07 10:39 PM

Yes, the children should not be the ones who pay for their parents mistakes, but with every new safety feature that is installed in a vehicle, it will only perpetuate a new sense of false security. More parents will believe it's alright to leave children unattended. Posted by: David Quistberg | Mar 21, 07 10:40 PM

Somebody suspicious is approaching your vehicle. You hit the power locks and roll up your power window, but before it reaches the top that somebody simply sticks his arm through the opening and the window auto-reverses. You can't be serious! Where was the parent? Was the child properly restrained? Was the power supply switch left on? Was the vehicle left with the keys in the ignition? You can't blame the auto industry for a parent's mistake. Yes, it was very tradgic but I don't think auto-reverse is the answer. I do think that the pull up button is a good idea and should be installed in new vehicles. Perhaps more education on child/car safety is needed. Posted by: Glenn Watson | Mar 21, 07 10:55 PM

Parents shouldn't leave children unattended first of all. If the child were abducted, would it be the auto manufacturer's fault? So if auto reverse were installed and a car jacker is reaching in to get your car and auto reverse help to enable the car jacker to succeed. So have dual position switches. And next time do a story on how people should be more responsible and accountable for their own stupidity. Posted by: Chris | Mar 21, 07 10:57 PM

Hi: I think the auto manufacturer had one valid point about auto-reversing windows. What if you are at a stop and someone tries to get in the car? As it stands now you raise the window. If the car is equiped with auto-reverse that window will re-open and the person can gain access. It is possible that auto-reverse would save a child from danger of being crushed but it opens up the door for abduction, kid napping or rape. What if the auto-reverse caused more problems than it solves? all of the sudden the auto manufacturers would be facing countless law suits by peopele loosing their kids of women getting raped. If they install auto-reversing windows they will have to come up with a method to overide this function in an emegency. The simplest solution is to stop the window from being operated if the car is in park. Regards, Irving A. Briscoe Posted by: Irving A. Briscoe | Mar 21, 07 11:01 PM

don't put power windows in the back seat. put the old fashioned roll-up windows. most children that have to sit in the back seat,do not have the strength to roll them up or down. the consumer would thank you,,the manufacturers can don't have to spend tons of money for research trying to find an electric window that is totally safe. thank you Faye Dupre Posted by: Faye Dupre | Mar 21, 07 11:04 PM

Sure, after car manufacturers put auto reverse windows in all our vehicles, we may never see another child get killed by a power window. Instead, we may start seeing children dying because they accidentally turned off the air conditioning when it's 35 degrees outside. We cannot stop accidents from happening, all we can do is try to reduce the risk. Thank you for reporting this story. I learned something, I hope every parent hears about this & learns something too... Don't leave them alone in the car. Posted by: David Quistberg | Mar 21, 07 11:05 PM

Though I've never met a person who has lost a child that way I almost lost my dog that way. We were inside Shell and we'd left the van running and went in for a couple of minutes and next thing we hear is that our dog is choking to death, and sure enough she was. She'd rolled down the window to put her head out and then her front or back paw rolled it right back up. Atleast she could still yelp. But if we hadn't come out she'd probably have ended up like those children. Posted by: Rosemarie Thiessen | Mar 21, 07 11:16 PM

We have become a people that plames someone else for our errors. We are always on the watch in order to sue the manufacturer, the salesman, the bank who loaned us the money to purchase the vehicle, There has been no mention of the fact that the mother left the car running otherwise the windows would not work. She made a tragic mistake and we grieve with her. Posted by: howard bishop | Mar 21, 07 11:17 PM

It makes perfect sense to have proper switches on car (ones that need to be pulled to close the window). I'm not sold on auto-reverse. Doesn't that make car jacking that much easier? If the feature was mandatory, it would likely cost more because some buyers would want to turn it off. And if the car is running, isn't there a change that the kids put the vehicle in drive? I don't think all options were explored for this story. Posted by: J Martell | Mar 21, 07 11:18 PM

Regarding the window problem in American made cars. If the manufacture won't put this feature in immediately, why not threaten to buy foreign models, Volkswagen has this feature Posted by: Ron Conarroe | Mar 21, 07 11:34 PM

My 1985 Oldsmobile car windows are only operable when ignition key is switched on. I can't imagine why would it be any other way? Posted by: Ken O'Sullivan | Mar 21, 07 11:42 PM

It would be quite unfortunate to be forced to redesign the power windows of the car, given that the real problem can be taken care of very easily, and have MULTIPLE benefits. The root cause is that a parent was not there watching. Granted, they had something more important to do than watch their child. But in my experience, most car windows do NOT raise unless the key is in the ignition, and in the run or accessory position. I did not notice if the program stated whether the engine was running or not, but if it was, shame! Shame for polluting, shame for wasting fuel, shame for leaving a child alone where they could inadvertently start the car in motion and hurt more than just themselves. Point is - the engine should never be running without an operator in control and the fix for that is very simple: wire the existing seat pressure sensor (for seatbelts and/or airbags) into the ignition. No driver, no engine running, no danger. We would save millions of litres of fuel monthly(!) and tonnes of CO2 production, by eliminating wasteful and completely unnecessary idling. Posted by: Rob Taylor | Mar 22, 07 12:29 AM

It is a sad fact to know that a number of children have been killed from such a seemingly harmless device. A simple mechanism exists that can possibly avoid such problems. All new power windows should be fitted with these.. But, how many such little little things exist that keep causing accidents, and they dont even get reported?? The power window.. may have been just one of those! Posted by: Dev Minotra | Mar 22, 07 12:58 AM

I just watched the show about killing car windows, and although it is an absolute tragedy that any child has been injured in an electric window, I am wholely against an automatic return window. Certainly between the new legislations of the new buton style, locking windows and simple responsible parenting this can be solved. 50 child deaths are alot but when you mention this goes back to the 1960, that is really not a very incredible number . . . I'm sure more have been killed going down hills in their radio flyer wheelbarrow. Think of how many more car jackings, attacks, and other grevious crimes may happen once people realize you can stop someone from rolling up their window by simply placing your hand in its way! This is one of marketplaces weaker shows by far! Posted by: Bryan Ward | Mar 22, 07 02:11 AM

I watched your program on power windows tonight and felt that the investigative journalist should have kept a more open mind for different options. The tragedies caused by power windows highlight the need for action, but I'm not sure the "auto-reverse" function that the journalist keeps on pressing to Transport Canada is the ONLY or best option. What about an "auto-stop" option instead? Or mandatory child lock on power windows? Or, if more parents choose to add auto-reverse as an extra on their new vehicles, wouldn't free market do its work and motivate automakers to compete to offer auto-reverse as an option? In the meantime, shouldn't other consumers have the choice of not being exposed to possibilities of criminals jamming into car windows with the help of the auto-reverse feature? Posted by: Debbie Liu | Mar 22, 07 02:15 AM

Interesting program... I am really glad that this safety issue is being brought up. Now a part of me does acknowledge that parents have a responsbility to use common sense, but mistakes happen to the best of people. I believe that auto-reverse will one day be a mandatory safety feature on all all cars, and I praise the women that appeared on the program for taking the responsbility for their actions and doing something postive with it. Afterall, it was because of Ralph Nader's tireless lobbying that seatbelts eventually became mandatory in cars. Posted by: Brian | Mar 22, 07 02:51 AM

When I saw this episode on CBC News, I could not believe what I was seing. I have never had the problems with power windows because I have never had a vehichle that has them. After seing this video, I will never purchase a vehicle that does not have auto reverse or hand rollers. After today, I will be sharing with all of my friends and others that have children and don't don't know about the auto reverse. I don't think that any more children should die because Transport Canada does not want to make it mandatory for people to have auto reverse. I think that it is outrageous. When will they realize how many lives they can save by doing this. Does it have to happen to them first! Obviously. I hope that it goes through and that many more people like myself help you out as well. Posted by: Ashley Gobeil | Mar 22, 07 03:32 AM

Don't be negligent and leave kids alone in a car. Simple as that. Posted by: Tyler | Mar 22, 07 03:41 AM

Very sad of knowing the power windows feature's dangers, but the full responsibility is belonging to the parents or the adults. Imagine the serial rapist in the basement apartment car lot is attempting some acts of assault to the woman in the car, and the reverse windows can not close to protect her. Who should be sued for this matter? Reverse windows should be an option and a free-of-charge installation feature if required. Posted by: Loc Le | Mar 22, 07 05:40 AM

hi.i am in favor of the "auto-reverse wondows".but on the other side of the coin, criminals who try to attack a person in there car can't power up the window and drive away. the crook can stick his arm in and not worry about it hurting him. he can also have an opportunity to grab the driver. thx . jd Posted by: john | Mar 22, 07 06:31 AM

WHY? Why do parents leave their children unattended? Why do parents leave cars running with children in them? Why do parents not use the power window lock feature when kids are in the car? Why do parents not use child safety seats properly? Why do the child protection agencies not prosecute parents who’s negligence results in the death or injury of a child? These “accidental deaths and injuries” related to power windows are indeed a tragedy many levels. When does Market Place intend to investigate? (Dare I say it) why smart people do stupid things, in addition, why do they try to blame others for their shortcomings? Posted by: Bruce D. Anderson | Mar 22, 07 07:11 AM

I am sorry that so many children are killed with power windows. If I have children in the car the windows are always locked on the drivers door. I agree that if safety devices cost only $8./window, why would the car companies have them installed. Posted by: D Wilkie | Mar 22, 07 07:43 AM

While I can empathize with parents over the loss of a child and can appreciate the efforts of consumer groups advocating change in big corporations and government, where is personal responsibility in this? When did it become 'ok' to leave kids in a car, and while it's running? It's time to make some difficult choices if leaving your most valuable possession in the car for 'only a minute' is superseded by your hectic lifestyle. Posted by: Judi Zaklan | Mar 22, 07 08:33 AM

Erica Johnson's investgation into the death's of several children due to power window's in vehicle's was very touching to say the least. Transport Canada will have to wake up and come on track with Europe and make it law to have the Automatic Reversal System's installed on all future vehicle's with power windows made in Canada. "WHY SHOULD ANOTHER CHILD HAVE TO DIE WAITING FOR POLITICS TO MAKE A DECISION ON SOMETHING SO CRITICAL AS THIS" . WHEN ERICA INTERVIEWED the head guy for one of the Auto companies last night the response she got from him was very disturbing, I got the impression that he did not care to listen or attempt to answer the questions being asked with any feelings at all towards the families that have lost children due to power window's in vehicles. He was smug and had a stupid grin on his face and clearly showed that the Auto company he represents do not care about what's happened to the children who have died. This guy should hang his head in shame and so should Transport Canada for not taking this more seriously. Posted by: Randy Tucker | Mar 22, 07 08:34 AM

This is not my direct sentiment, just a stab at what car manufacturer's might be holding as thought on this subject - "Why should incompetent parenting inconvenience/cost my company money?" ie. 10$ more a window to install safety devices which every consumer will indirectly pay for. Posted by: G. Christie | Mar 22, 07 08:43 AM

I have no idea why the manufacturers don't just make these devises available to the retailers who sell the cars in the first place as an extra that can be added if the person buying a car wants to have them installed . It would probably sell well although I have to agree that personally , in a large city , I would not want windows that can be made to go back down by a simple touch on the top of the glass . It would make it easier for thieves . Another idea for the manufacturer would be a simple plastic cover over the window raiser devise in the back seat. Those things can be hard enough for adults to raise the covers . There are lots of options that can be considered in this proplem , not just one . Ann McGinnis Posted by: Ann McGinnis | Mar 22, 07 08:47 AM

I heard on CBC radio that it would only cost $8.00 per car to add in the feature that makes the windows stop when there is an object in the way. I think for this low cost, it should definately absolutely be mandated. Is that not a no-brainer? Pets die from these also. thanks Posted by: Lori Strothard | Mar 22, 07 08:51 AM

If our cars are important enough to design garage doors with a sensor to automatically open when it senses something is in it's way, why aren't are kids? Absolutely rediculous and tragic that this had to happen. Posted by: Bev | Mar 22, 07 09:20 AM

We saw your excellent and, unfortunately, disturbing report on auto-reverse windows. It has made us re-think which car manufacturer we will choose to give are money to with our next car purchase. I really can't believe the reticence of the car industry to do something so fundamental to the safety of children. If the bottom dollar is all that counts for them, then they should think long-term; after all, the children of today are indubitably THEIR car owners of tomorrow! Posted by: Basia | Mar 22, 07 09:28 AM

Again parents who leave children unattended want someone else to blame. I have three children and have had powerwindow in our cars and have always taken the kids with me when I go inside somewhere. I know its faster to just run in on your own but see what happens due to a parents lazyness another life is lost. What about when the car is stolen with the child sleeping inside? Posted by: Robin | Mar 22, 07 09:33 AM

There is only one this to say to this type of meaningless death. "Where are the parents" It is not the responsiblity of every manufacturer to ensure that unsupervised children not be harmed by their products. This is just madness. Posted by: chardonneh | Mar 22, 07 09:37 AM

This all started with a parent leaving a 2 year old unattended in a running car for 15 min. The power window design is not the stupidest thing here. Posted by: ryeomans | Mar 22, 07 09:39 AM

I was extremely disappointed with the show on power windows. I really soory about the kids that died or were injured. I think it is very sad, however, I think that parents should never leave their children unattended in a vehicle. The show was so against the manufacturers and government which is somewhat unfair. Most vehicles with power windows have a power lockout feature. that wa not mentioned until the end of the show. I don't agree with the attitude of people with kids who think that everythink should be catered to them. Why should other people have to give up something they love because some parents exercise poor judgement. It is sad that the media keeps perpetuating the dumbing down of society. I think everyone should use common sense and educate themselves. We each have a responsibility to research the products we are buying and buy products that suit our needs taking into consideration our family. This episode of the show was definitely not balanced. Posted by: Felecia | Mar 22, 07 09:41 AM

your story on power windows was very insightful ,hopefully you will open Transport Canadas' eyes to this tragic issue. I might add that it also applies to pets as my dog stepped on the up button as well ,and had I not been in the car at the time a potentially tragic accident was averted. He was in the back seat and out of my vision ,and until the window closed on his neck and he screamed out ,I had no idea what had happened but reacted quickly enough to avoid disaster. keep up the good work Posted by: Peter | Mar 22, 07 09:46 AM

I usually enjoy Marketplace, but this episode seemed to be grasping for a story. Nobody wants to see children being put in harms way, but nothing makes me madder than people who leave their children, or pets, unattended in cars or anywhere else. This could have been 5 minute piece on the news, but not a story that Marketplace should have dedicated a full 25 minutes to. Posted by: Dennis | Mar 22, 07 10:01 AM

1. The big 3 car companies are not being asked to install this $10.00 per window feature free of charge so I fail to see their opposition to it. 2. The best way to get them to agree is to have Canadian legislation make it mandatory or, have the Japanese, Korean and Europian car makers install it on their vehicles and then lets see how fast the North American car companies follow suite Posted by: Bill Campbell | Mar 22, 07 10:18 AM

While I feel for all thoses who have had children hurt by power windows I can't believe our society feels that industry should hold all the answers. If you have a child, the child is your responsibility. By leaving your child in a car unattended its you who are the danger! Most cars require the keys in the ignition to power the windows, so if it wasn't the power windows it could be fingers slammed in doors, exposure to heat/cold, electric outlets,child abduction or the child deciding to try to drive the car. Should car manufactures be forced to place a good parent in each vehicle to provent an accident? Posted by: V Bastable | Mar 22, 07 10:24 AM

missed the important story - the death of millions due to climate change. I can think of instances when I would want that window to go up come hell or high water. There's a simple device that can shut off idling vehicles. Cheap to install, and can be set for 10 seconds. Would solve many more problems. Posted by: Chelsea | Mar 22, 07 11:06 AM

The story indicated that some of the cars sold in Canada already come with auto reverse windows. How can we find out which ones?? Posted by: David | Mar 22, 07 11:46 AM

How much more control do we us Canadians want to give over to the government? Our personal responsibility is either taken away from us or we fight to give it away ... it is time we take personal responsibility for ourselves and quit asking or demanding the government fix it. If you think power windows are dangerous for your child it is SIMPLY don't buy a vechile with them OR DON"T leave your child unattended, come back to them then drive 20 minutes without realizing your child is not in their child safety seat. The media seems to be missing some important facts and quickly pointing a finger of blame to the manufactors. Why did the Calagary mother not observe that her daughter was not where she left her. I ask before we start turning to the government with a learned helplessness, we see what we could do differently ... take responsibility for your actions. Posted by: S Andrews | Mar 22, 07 12:11 PM

Caught your "power to kill" program on your web site; it was very disturbing. I don't and never have had power windows in my vehicles because I feel they are just a "lazy person", "keep up with the Jones" and "I've got more money than you" novelty. The auto industry exists to make profit, they know what sells--I'm sure the vast majority of customers would decline the window reverse feature if presented as an option with a view that the money would be better spent on mag wheels, colour co-ordinated door handles or a spoiler. Ideally, auto manufactures should design vehicles that are idiot proof for parents that are less aware, careless and down right dangerous but then the vehicles would never leave the manufactures premises. Posted by: dennis emond | Mar 22, 07 12:20 PM

WAKE UP!!! Auto makers are blaming the consumers for the deaths of those innocent children that have died from Power windows. They say that the parents are neglectful for leaving their children in the cars. But auto makers are to blame. Is the life of a child really worth saving $8? Posted by: Tony Filipaz | Mar 22, 07 12:54 PM

Everybody is saddened by the loss of a child however our society has become one of "blame someone else". When are we going to starting taking responsibility for our own actions. I believe it is clear that a overwhelming majority of your listeners who have provided their comments believe it is the parents' responsibility to properly care for their own child. Consider this: if in fact the automatic reverse device had been installed on the power windows in these specific cases and the child had managed to be harm while falling out or escaping from the opened window while unattended would the parents then blame the auto manufacturers for having installed the auto reverse. What's next blaming the stove manufactures for a child burning themselves, blaming the plumber for installing the hot water tank, blaming the builder when the child falls down the stairs? Lastly, Marketplace should be ashamed of providing such a one-sided program. Again, I repeat when are we going to act diligently, take responsibility for our actions, and stop blaming everyone else for our actions? Posted by: TracyTracy | Mar 22, 07 01:21 PM

With the car I drive (1999 Subaru) the key has to be the in RUN position for the windows to operate. I don't know if that's typical of most cars, but that alone should be enough to stop this kind of accident--shut off the engine and take the key out. My Subaru also has the "safe" lever style window buttons and a window lock. If that's still not enough to prevent an accident, I don't know what will. (BTW I live in the USA, not Canada, but from what I know USDOT and TC standards for cars are very similar if not identical, so I'm sure the Canada model is the same) Posted by: Corey Drakkon | Mar 22, 07 01:26 PM

I was incensed by your story regarding auto windows and the added safety feature of auto reverse. You highlighted several very sad stories where children were seriously harmed or killed by mishaps with auto windows. I agree that these horrible accidents may have been prevented by a simple auto-reverse feature being installed on all vehicles but disagree most vehemently that this should be a required feature for two reasons. Firstly, I am a single woman living in a city and when I travel in my car I am alone 99% of the time. When travelling at night I have had unwanted people approach my car and the ability to close my window quickly is a safety feature which I do not want to be without. Secondly, when will people learn that accidents happen to good people and even to the most vulnerable and innocent of us, namely children? No amount of legislation or safety features will avoid all accidents. No amount of legislation or safety features can make people better parents. Children should not be left unattended in a vehicle PERIOD. Where does the government’s responsibility (or the manufacturers’ for that matter) end and personal responsibility become paramount? Suppose that wonderful child who died needlessly in Calgary had been in a vehicle with auto-reverse windows. Imagine she steps up on the arm rest, leans on the window which then reverses so she is not injured - instead she tumbles head first out of the window onto the pavement. Perhaps a scrape or scratch, perhaps a broken bone, perhaps a serious head injury, perhaps she gets hit by a passing car, or snatched by a predator. Who do we blame for that? Get real people! Bad things happen to good people and sometimes it is not the fault of government or car manufactures. Remember whenever you point a finger there are 3 more pointing back at you. Sue - Winnipeg, MB Posted by: Sue | Mar 22, 07 01:55 PM

I,also, am sorry for any life lost, but can not abide by the almost daily abdication of people who refuse to take responsibility for their own actions or their lack of commonsense. I do not want to have to keep paying for the irresponsibility of others. Posted by: Bob Warren | Mar 22, 07 03:17 PM

Personally I think the government should save me from every type of safety hazard that exists. I pay taxes! With those taxes, I demand that "Canada's New Government" provide me with a personal safety bubble so that absolutely no harm will ever come to me again so long as I live, and for that matter, I should not have to go through the indignity of dying. It is quite clear to me that the government has dropped the ball on this one! Posted by: Chris Jones | Mar 22, 07 03:30 PM

Hello!!!! Don't leave your kids alone in a car and then there isn't a problem! Posted by: Gail Dolson | Mar 22, 07 04:54 PM

Once again parents are looking to the government to take responsibility for a problem that they could have prevented. Bottom line: DON'T LEAVE YOUR CHILDREN UNATTENDED IN A RUNNING VEHICLE. Next this group will want rear parking aid sensors put into all vehicles to prevent the driver from running over a child that is playing behind them. How much more money would that solution cost? How about taking some responsiblity for your own actions and keeping your child in site at all times? Posted by: Derick Lehmann | Mar 22, 07 05:12 PM

I drive a PT Crusier which has a surprising good design for this problem. The controls are vertically mounted on the front and middle of the dash. When you push up the window goes up. When you push down the window goes down. The switches can not short out with water damage when on the door panel. This entire issue can be simplified with this design OR placing the switches vertically on the door panel. One can not stand on the switches when vertically mounted to activate the window. It also does not make sense to push a switch forward to make a window go up. Detroit has yet to figure out good ergonomics and the connection between eye and hand movements. Posted by: Robert Hutchison | Mar 22, 07 05:19 PM

As the mother 7 my heart goes out to any mother who has lost their child,but in saying that I believe that the car companies are being made the scapegoats. These parents have all left their chilren unattended,and the vehicles all had their keys in them and were running for the windows to work! Who leaves young chilren alone in a running vehicle? We could install the reverse sensor modes in vehicles, but then these same parents who do these lazy, foolhearted things are going to complain when the window roles all the way down, and their children fall out on their heads and have head injuries, broken necks or are dead. I think that all that needs to be done here is for people to have a little good old fashioned commonsense, and stop being so lazy. People are saying that a childs life is worth a lot more that 8$, and I agree, they are priceless, but what is that childs life worth to that parent who just left THEIR child unattened in the vehicle?All to save a few minutes. Anything could happen. Market Place has shown time, and time again how easy it is to break into a car! What if it is stolen with the child in the car,or the child is stolen from the car? ECome on parents wake up! Stop being so lazy. Who cares if the child is sleeping, wake them up, a crying live child is better than a quiet dead one. When I was pregnant with my seventh child I had 6 young children to get in and out of a big truck, it wasn't easy to lift them in and out, but I did, I never would have left them alone.Even when my daughter was old enough to stay alone with the kids, the keys came with me. A child should NEVER be left in a vehicle alone. Would they leave them at home alone? no, it is illegal, and its illegal to leave under age children alone in a vehicle too. People do stupid things and then to ease their minds,try to find sombody to blame. In this case the fact remains, don't leave your chilren unattended, and these things won't happen. Posted by: Candice Daly/Zarecki | Mar 22, 07 06:28 PM

Accidents in or with cars do happen ,in many ways.In about all cases there is a person to blame,and in many cases there is a tendency to put the blame anywhere else that even remotely possible.I have been around for some time,very early on helped start those old cars with a crank in the front; have had several times a tire blow with a big bang at 50 miles an hour;looked with suspicion at first at seat belts;and much more. Manufacturers have improved safety features tremendously and are still working hard at it;air bags in front of driver,now both and sides,steeringwheels that buckle,and much more.Still there will be accidents,and we will put the blame all over.My '92 Mazda van has a window swith,push down for down,lift for up;I never realised that we should blame other car makers for not doing the same.And then,what other mishap will happen that we try to blame where ever?Sorry for those people who most likely realise now where the trouble was after what happened;'and all who write in to point that out,please keep rubbing it in. Posted by: John Van | Mar 22, 07 09:09 PM

Wow - I am stunned by the comments this story has generated. The majority say the parents are to blame. This is the same argument as "guns don't kill, people do". It doesn't serve any purpose than further shaming these parents who have paid the ultimate price for their mistake. Yes you have stated the obvious - the parents were irresponsible, but are you suggesting that their children deserved to die because of the mistake? Or that passing a law or putting parents in jail will prevent future death or injuries? That was the whole point of the story - that with a very simple upgrade, our kids will be safer. Posted by: Bruce | Mar 22, 07 11:01 PM

I'm pi**ed - what are you doing leaving a kids in a running vehicle!?!?!?!!~ This is PARENT PROBLEM not a car problem - though the car manufactureres could do a better job. Posted by: Marty Hatlelid | Mar 23, 07 04:03 AM

While I agree that every child lost is a tragedy, it is amazing a mother is trying to find comfort in blaming others. Perhaps this was a misguided stance of those around her in offering her support and now it is her crusade. I am a mother who discovered a long existing device that works in these situatiions, for dogs!. A gate that is held in place by the pressure of roll-up or power windows, no longer allowing children or dogs to poke any limbs or finger/noses out the window. I bought this from canadian tire for 8$, ten years ago and it sill works great on any year or model of car. Posted by: Kerri | Mar 23, 07 12:32 PM

Vehicles with power windows come with a locking mechanism which can be activated by the driver so that windows (especially the rear windows where children sit) can be locked, thus preventing children from accidentally (or, knowing the curiosity of small children) purposefully raising or lowering the windows in question. I have grandchildren and automatically activate the lock when they are in them. Posted by: Roberta Montpetit | Mar 23, 07 01:00 PM

I caught this episode and feel very deeply for the parent who lose their children to unfortunate accidents and feel fortunate enough to have my children survive growing up to adulthood. The one thing I was taught young and still rely on is good old common sense, like what is more important, the children's safety or not having to take them with you when you have to just jump out of your vehicle for a minute. What's next, having a teher locked to the driver's hand from the ignition key so they can't leave the vehicle running when while they just go into a store "just for a minute" leaving their kids in the car with it running? How far does the Governmnet have to go to protect people with no common sense from themselves? Posted by: SAM H. | Mar 23, 07 03:24 PM

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR CHILDREN! Yes, it's terrible and tragic what happened to innocent lives. BUT, power windows will NOT work as soon as the keys are removed. Why are children AND keys left unattended? Also, most vehicles have a disable feature in the door jambs so rear windows cannot be used. If you're not smart enough to have common sense and be responsible, buy a vehicle without power windows. Quit blaming the manufacturer who has ALREADY installed safety features. Posted by: C. Lowen | Mar 23, 07 04:16 PM

It is very sad that these mothers have lost their children. However, as a paramedic I have seen time and time again, whenever more safety equipment features are added, the more parents become to rely on them. The most important safety feature is good parental supervision. Posted by: c | Mar 24, 07 01:16 PM

I am surprised by the reactions to this story. Yes, parents should, ideally, be aware of the dangers their children face and take steps to reduce those. Guess what, that's exactly what these parents are doing - advocating to reduce the dangers that not only their own children, but the children of others face. I am constantly surprised when I get into vehicles with power windows and these do not contain "Pull-up, push-down" style controls, which have been known for a long time to reduce the risk to children. The auto-reverse function for power windows, while not something I had been aware of previously, should at the very least be available as an option on all vehicles with power windows. There is a LOT of precedent for installing safety features in vehicles for situations that may not apply to all consumers - seat belts, connection points for child seats, airbags, side-impact airbags, crumple zones, bumpers, etc. Posted by: Chris Wagner | Mar 24, 07 02:06 PM

After reading these comments I cannot help but feel heartbreak for the parents of children killed in this way have to read that others find them to blame. It always astounds me that people can be so utterly callous in their disregard of others' tragedies. Do they not think parents are already feeling the complete weight of blame already? On the other hand, what does it matter if it only costs $10 for a device that - regardless of parenting skills - can save the life of our precious children. It only takes a minute for a distracted parent to have this occur. Shame on those people for their inability to empathize. Posted by: Bryan Challis | Mar 24, 07 03:29 PM

While I feel for the parents who have lost children, a few facts remain. a) The parents left their children unattended in a car. Period. A child could, conceivably: put the car in gear, unlock the door and escape, get entangled in a seatbelt. Instead of outlawing power windows (without auto reverse), how about outlawing unattended childen in vehicles? b) If a carjarcker, theif, or beggar is coming up to my window, I want to put the window up ASAP to avoid injury to me personally. An auto reverse window would put me (any any children in the car) at risk. c) I agree that switches children can stand on to elevate are dangeorus and should be outlawed. But the safer, "pull-up" switches are a reasonable compromise. Especially if parents DON'T LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNNATTENDED IN A RUNNING CAR. I expected more from the CBC - this piece was one-sided, editorialized and poorly presented. My heart goes out to the parents who have lost tehir children. But this Michael Moore-style journalism is not what I expect of the CBC. Posted by: Corey Q | Mar 24, 07 04:00 PM

Why are we trying to dump our responsibility as parents for child care on manufacturers? It is our responsibility to ensure that children are in a safe situation all the time, why to leave them in the car? Why to leave the power window switch enabled? Government and car manufactures have done more than their job by providing an enable / disable lock at driver’s door and having a pull up switch. Now we are expecting auto-reverse so what’s next? Our child’s life was once saved by NOT having an auto reverse. My child was attacked (racial attack) while stopped at a red light. The only thing I could do to pull the switch to close the window that prompted the attacker to run instead of squeezing his arm in the power window. Auto reverse will do well on one side while harm at the same time. For the reason I don’t’ expect cereal manufacturers to feed my children, its time for us to take the responsibility of our children and do not expect car manufacturers to do it. Posted by: Ai | Mar 24, 07 04:08 PM

While listening to and watching the program today I was struck by the lack of alternatives suggested that would provide SAFETY FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS FROM UNWANTED INTRUDERS and also children left to amuse themselves in a vehicle with no adult present. 1.a master control switch 2.re-locate the control switches 3.re-position the control switches 4.re-configure the control switches 5.any combination of the above Pressure sensitive controls seem to be an over-reaction by people who have not thought the subject through and are fortunate enough to be driving in completely safe areas --which,I believe do not exist in reality.Thank heavens for the restraint shown by the spokesperson for Transport Canada Posted by: John Mclenahan | Mar 24, 07 04:13 PM

Marketplace has always served a great role in helping the society but this time they got it all wrong. By no means car manufacturers and government are to blame here at all. Any life lost is very sad regardless who is to blame but if there is someone to blame here it’s the parents. Don’t buy a car with power windows if you can’t take responsibility of the safety expectations that come with it, this is the first wrong decision. Do not leave the child in the car; this is the second wrong decision. Do not leave the power window lock on, this is the third wrong decisions. So why on earth Marketplace is blaming manufactures and government for this. I suggest marketplace should review their point of view and correct it publicly. Posted by: Mira | Mar 24, 07 04:21 PM

"isn't it interesting we're not hearing about children being strangled to death in europe by power windows" I am curious why the report is lacking any information about the incidents prior to this implementation. Is it not possible European parents are intelligent enough not to leave their children unattended in a multi-tonne WEAPON? Bias much? However, I'm not against the auto-reverse, though I see another electronic part that will be expensive to replace and will most surely eventually break. I've heard some excellent arguments here but one does stand fairly ridiculous. If someone is pointing a GUN in your face. You step out of the car (after getting your children out). $45,000 car or your and your children's lives? Easy decision. Putting up a relatively slow non-bulletproof window is not going to do much against a ballistic. The most powerful argument I have heard in these responses that I'm most pleased with is the car must be ON/keys must be in to facilitate operation of these windows. So you have auto-reverse, but when your kid puts a 2 tonne vehicle into gear and runs over someone or smashes up a public place or another vehicle, what will your auto-reverse do now? Posted by: Stuart | Mar 24, 07 07:24 PM

the mothers solely to blame for thier child's death,i know this seems mean, but by trueth,and law no child should be allowed in a car alone for such a time as 5 minutes.and what happened to strapping a child in a carseat to start with?sorry if it seems mean but look to one's own self for the mistake not any true blame.sorry to sound mean again but i just see the trueth. Posted by: tony | Mar 24, 07 08:03 PM

Is this what MarketPlace is becoming? Another show trying to make its point across to the viewers through sensationalism? I do agree it is unfortunate that children had to die because of power windows. However, I also agree that it is first and foremost the parents' responsibility NOT to leave their children unattended in the car. How come MarketPlace never really questioned the parents involved in these tragedies about their responsibility? It is too easy to blame Industry Canada or the big automakers. Are they going to be blamed for deaths related to speeding too? Another (minor) point: please get rid of the background music (?) in the report. The only thing it does is distract the viewer from what is being presented. It does NOT add any seriousness to the topic. On the contrary. And, quite frankly, the "Who Wants to be a Milionaire" drumming, heart-beating, type of "tension creating" music is pretty anoying... No music works just fine, thank you! Posted by: Emanuel Freitas | Mar 24, 07 08:16 PM

Mandatory in vehicles, no; optional, by all means. Carjackers will LOVE this feature. I personally do not want a car with this feature and don't want to have to pay(mandatory)for it nor pay to have it removed in a new car. You take the time to a child-proof your home, why not the car; buy a car WITHOUT power windows. That's easy. And shame on Ms. Johnson for trying to lay a guilt trip on the Transport Canada? employee. What were you trying to make her say? That was a B.S. tactic. Parents need to STOP leaving kids in the car with it RUNNING! Guess what?, no key, no power for the windows. Geez. If it does become mandatory, wait for the lawsuits from carjacking, and kidnapping victims; SOMEONE will still leave their kids alone in a running car with window-playing kids and now potentially the window can be forced down; off with a child. You can trust that it WILL BE exploited. Stop insisting the government must do everything to make up for all the naive people. I feel sorry for these families' losses, but maybe it would have been better for a police officer to ticket them for leaving kids in the running car as they walked away from it; their child might still be alive. Posted by: Brent | Mar 24, 07 08:37 PM

while this is a sad case, lets not ignore the true underlying facts in this tragic accident; this young child was left unattended in a running vehicle. People need to start taking responsibility for their actions. Posted by: Diane Matthews | Mar 24, 07 08:42 PM

I was very disappointed with your take on the power window story. Transport Canada and the auto makers are not responsible. A bad decision was made by a parent and the consequence was tragic. We are responsible for ourselves, we are free to make choices. When we have children, we make responsible choices on their behalf and they in turn learn to make responsible choices for themselves. Posted by: Bea | Mar 24, 07 10:35 PM

In this segment Marketplace is guilty of cherry picking one automotive engineering solution to solve a broader problem of poor driver skill and parent safety education. Perhaps similar safety improvement would be obtain by relocating power window controls onto the center console, such as in some vehicles already sold in Canada today. How about requiring all licenced drivers to be better trained, and CPR certified as is required in Germany? While very expensive for new drivers , this requirement goes a long way in helping to prevent many poor driving habits resulting in children's injury and death. How many more children do we see hopping around rear seats in Canada compared to Europe for example? Europe does not have the same level of risk for violent crime as we have in North America and therefore it sees other safety risks as more important, and regulates these. In the end, engineering alone will never solve the more serious problems of poor driver training, poor parenting skill, and lack of common sense. It is sad that many children die in vehicles every year, and most do not lose their lives due to the lack of auto-reverse windows. I suspect technology distraction, poor fundamental driving skills, and lack of common sense are some of the major reasons. Would Sienna be alive today if her mother had been more focused on her child, and CPR certified. Possibly. Posted by: US Viewer | Mar 25, 07 10:19 AM

I am so happy to see that there are others out there with the same opinion as me. I am a kindergarten teacher and I see the short cuts parents make everyday to make their own life less stressful. It makes me sick to my stomach that the car industry is being blamed for parents neglecting to watch their own children! First of all, the driver has the ability to lock the windows and not allow the child to control them. Secondly, why are children being left unattended in the vehicle??!! This is outrageous! A parent is responsible for their own child! A vehicle is not a babysitter, play room, bedroom, or nap room!! It disgusts me that parents cannot accept their own failure as a responsible adult. Reconsider what is important people: taking minutes to run into a store leaving a child exposed to danger or taking your child into the store with the guidance and safety of an adult! Posted by: Sonia | Mar 25, 07 01:02 PM

Why is it that Market Place always reports one side of the story. I have two children of my own and I would never leave my kids unattended in a running vehicle let alone allow a young child to move freely unsecurred in a child seat. I blame those irresponsible parents that left their children unattended. And guess what, all vehicles have a power lock preventing rear windows from operating. Stop looking for someone else to blame and take responsibility for your own stupidity. Car manufacturers do a great job at building safe cars but they need to be operated corrected. Posted by: Mark of Brampton | Mar 25, 07 01:03 PM

Stop blaming the parents! How cruel and utterly judgemental. 11 years ago I was driving down the highway with my two year old daughter in her car seat behind me. I "accidentally" rolled the window up when her arm was hanging out the window (she was sleeping and I could not see her arm). Thank GOD she ended up ok. Sooo, are people now going to judge me too? Was I negelectful? For goodness sake, these people have lost a child. Posted by: Janice | Mar 25, 07 01:14 PM

I work at an autobody shop at when i lock cars up at the end of the day, the cars with electric windows need the key in the ignition to close them, it is annoying and inconvenient,makes a 30 second operation take minutes. I have heard so many stories about children taking cars on joyrides as well,(what 6 year old doesnt want to drive??). Accident prevention means looking for accidents that could happen and making sure they dont. So much work over auto-reverse windows,still wont stop the irresponsible attitudes that are the true source of the problem. Are these parents fighting for change ,so they can use thier cars as a mobile unsupervised daycare? If the kids are alone in the car, the key is not in the ignition, that simple, shut it off, take the key and go run your errands. Its the parents job to make it safe, who needs to be told this! Are the kids left alone in the car Detroit's responsibility?, The Governments?, or the parent's. Posted by: John Toplensky | Mar 25, 07 01:18 PM

While i do feel for the parents that lost their children, I can't help but think that this never would have happened if they hadn't left their children in the car in the first place. granted, its not uncommon - I used to 'chill' in the car while my mum went to do errands...but our car didnt have power windows, and it was NEVER EVER left running. Personally , i do think these automatic window thingies are a good idea...and before people start talking about carjacking, how common of an occourance is that in canada? and if your that concerned, only have it installed on the passenger and rear windows. Posted by: Kat | Mar 26, 07 07:45 AM

If I were not a Canadian and I stumbled across this page and scrolled through the comments I would assume that every 3rd or 4th person in Canada must be a car jacker. Really, if the threat is that great, perhaps car manufacturers should not even have the option of windows that go up and down. It seems our society is not mature enough to handle the responsibility that goes along with it. Posted by: Chris Jones | Mar 26, 07 08:41 AM

Another way to permit the car manufacturers to increase their profit margin. I sympathize with the parents; however, how many times must we try to blame vehicle manufacturers? Parents, "DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN ALONE IN VEHICLES" - take some responsibility for your actions. Posted by: Alan McIntosh | Mar 26, 07 03:55 PM

After watching your program I have to say that I strongly disagree with the notion of automatic-reverse windows. The car manufactures are correct when they argue that it is a safety concern for those cases of car hijackings. If someone if attempting to get into my car and I roll up my window I expect the window to roll up the entire way. Implementing these automatic-reverse windows for neglectful parents will not solve the problem. Why would any adult in their right mind leave a child alone in a car for any duration, on top of that act of stupidity, why would the parent/guardian leave the car running and why not put make use of the �?LOCK’ feature for power windows. Children are dying because neglectful parents are unable to care for their own children and automatic-reverse windows should not replace parental supervision. To try and place blame on the car manufactures is allowing these individuals a get out of jail free card. These parents are suffering a terrible loss, I do understand that but they must understand, it was their fault that they could not accurately protect their child because of their own stupidity. Do not place blame on anyone or anything else. The safety of your children starts with the parents. Do not leave children unattended, your actions have consequences. It was absolutely ridiculous to even try to blame anyone but the parent or guardian in these cases. This needs to stop, I agree. But the source to stop these children’s deaths will not be solves through car manufacturing alterations. Posted by: Jessica | Mar 26, 07 09:27 PM

I really do not get this one. Sure automatic car windows may be a hazard, but so can a stuffed toy if the child is left unattended. There comes a point where the parent should be held accountable for not watching their child. I am actually quite appalled that Marketplace would even run this story with this angle. I am glad that many of your viewers feel the same way as I do. Posted by: Jen | Mar 27, 07 06:45 PM

I agree with a many of your viewers comments that children should not be left alone in cars ESPECIALLY if the engine is left running. I would not do that with my dog in the car should he accidently put it into gear OR open the window and get out. All recent cars have window buttons which must be lifted for the window to go up thus protecting a child (or dog) from accidently strangling themselves in the window. This is not the case for older vehicles which have buttons which can be used accidently to close the window by pushing on the armrest. It seems to me that this co-called safety system which would lower the window upon meeting resistance, would have to be retrofitted to these older vehicles to be most effective. I for one, would not feel safe if it was in my vehicle and I were in a carjacfk situation. Posted by: Dan Sinstead | Mar 28, 07 09:58 AM

I found your recent piece "The Power to Kill" to be irresponsible and sensationalistic. Had Sienna's mother's car been equipped with auto-reverse, the unrestrained two year old could have just as easily been abducted or fallen to her death through the now-open window of the running vehicle that her mother abandoned her in (for 15 minutes - according to your program). Your piece missed the point completely. Posted by: Madeline Lanari | Mar 28, 07 11:22 AM

To all the commenters who point out problems with "hijackers "carjackers", and "car thieves": Firstly, it's virtually unheard of for a car to be stolen in Canada by a gun-wielding nutjob. If such an event ever happened, it'd be front-page news across the country. It isn't, because it doesn't happen. Sure, cars get stolen all the time, but they get stolen when they're UNOCCUPIED. Secondly, if somebody is pointing a gun at you, do you REALLY think that rolling up the window will protect you? Posted by: Edmonton viewer | Mar 28, 07 12:56 PM

I am very sorry for the family that lost their little girl. However, don't blame the power windows and the automotive manufacturers. First and foremost, the children should not have been left in a running vehicle. Yes, we've all done it when we run in for "just a minute" but this lady was obviously gone for much longer than a minute. If she had to leave them in the vehicle she should have at least turned the vehicle off. Most vehicles with power windows now have a "lock" feature. Teach your children NOT to play with the windows. Power windows are not a toy and children can be taught not to play with everything they see. Posted by: Arlene Tremblay | Mar 29, 07 10:14 AM

I was very disapointed to watch your show on car saftey , when a child was left alone in a car . and the parents where not at blame ,your show said it was the car manufacture at fault for not having safty locks on windows so the window will not work when a child is in the car . In my opion it was the parents fault not to have another person with them who can watch the childern . or the parents could not take the childern with them . and not the car manufacture they can only be resonpobile for so much , but not you childern left alone. Posted by: Michel | May 21, 07 11:17 AM

It's so sad that automakers will not take the steps to ensure safety. Makes me wonder if they care about money more than the safety of their customers and children. My heart does go out to the parents who lost a child and the child who lost a limb because of it. Posted by: Andrena LeBlanc | Jun 9, 07 10:17 PM

If you must leave your kids (which should be against the law) in the car have the switch disconected. Not all cars have a master switch on the driver door as one suggested. Further to that do most cars need the key on to operate power windows? I haven't worked on new cars because of a disability. Posted by: Mark | Jun 14, 07 05:24 AM

I have just experienced having my fingers caught in our car's power window. My husband, who was driving, raised all the windows to put on the air-conditioning, not looking to see that I was putting a piece of fluff out the window. My middle 3 fingers were trapped. Niether my window control or his would put down the window. He then got out of the car and tried to get his fingers in to the space to push the widow down. This also did not work. I was screaming in pain, begging him to help me. He said "I don't know waht to do". I now know first hand what animals must feel when their paw is caught in a trap. The pain is excruciating. Finally my husband thought of the car jack handle, and broke the window to release my fingers. Fortunately I was able to immerse my hand in water, and used Therapeutic Touch as first aid, and did not go to the hospital. After 2 1/2 weeks there is still nerve damage in my middle finger, but it is slowly getting better. At the time it occured to me that this could maim or kill children. I just saw the headline on the website, I thought I should add my experience. This was truly a frightening ewperience for an over 50 adult. Posted by: Janet Knight | Jun 18, 07 12:43 AM

The comments posted are shocking.The majority of the people who say the show missed the point, have missed the point.This is a hidden danger, and as an industrial design grad, is a design flaw that has been ignored and dealt with poorly. No parent should suffer their entire life for the decision they made. Its not a matter of blame, its a matter of correcting a condition, healing, and moving forward. Posted by: C.M. | Jun 22, 07 07:03 AM

When will parents stop being stupid and leaving their children unattended in the car? How many more kids will have to die before they learn? It's pretty simple, don't leave your kids on the car by themselves. Maybe police should start charging the parents with criminal negligence. Posted by: Vancouver viewer | Aug 6, 07 11:02 PM

From what I understand the ignition key has to be in the on position for these things to work. My question is why would anyone in their right mind leave the keys in the car while the kids are there. That's just looking for disaster. Here's a solution buy a cheaper car with manual windows. I raised two boys and rule one was never leave them alone in the car. It's sad but you have to anticipate that kids will always find a way to touch things they shouldn't. Posted by: G.Kennedy | Aug 11, 07 06:58 PM

Leaving your kids in the car, with the car running while you go to the bank...is more than a mistake. My heart goes out to the mother, but don't demonize transport canada or the auto industry to for someone's negligience. The host was also combative at the hearing which was completely unprofessional. Especially given the fact that...the woman left her kids in the car! It may not be a matter of blame, but it is a matter of accountability and responsibility for our most precious commodities. Power windows are a luxury (i.e. not a necessity) feature. Posted by: H.A. | Aug 11, 07 07:03 PM

It seems to me that it is our responsibility to do something about this problem before more children get hurt. I think that we should demand auto makers to not install the window buttons on the back doors. We have already the ability to raise and lower the windows from the front and the driver or the front passenger has control over it. This does not have to take a rocket scientist to figure out. We have the ability to put these buttons on, why can we not get our head around the simple issue of not putting them on? I really hope that industry pays attention to all of these concerns. Remember, we have the power to not buy their product, and they have the need for our business. It is time to listen. Carlos Valdez Ottawa, ON Posted by: Carlos Valdez | Aug 11, 07 07:12 PM

The message in the “POWER TO KILL” episode seems to be driven by the usual rallying cry “if it saves one child isn’t worth it?” If I lost a child in a power window accident I’m sure that I would feel that way. Doing the math is interesting though. 2006 US auto sales 16.5 million, estimating half of these vehicles have power widows and estimating only two windows per vehicle makes it simple to assign a value for the recommended mandatory change to vehicles. The small cost is approximately $132,000,000 dollars per year. The highest estimate appeared to be one death per month. If the lives of all children are valued equally then I suspect that a hundred million dollars per year could help many more than the twelve families per year impacted by the unattended window accidents. Posted by: Kerry | Aug 11, 07 07:53 PM

I just watched the show on tv. I am sure everyone is willing to pay 40 bucks for their 4 windows to have that feature. What is $40 compared to the price of the car itself? I've listened to what "Mister Ford" said about the security of ppl inside the car. All they should do is put auto-reverse windows WITH a double push button. So that way, cars will have auto-reverse all time, and if there's an emergency, you push the second button to activate the power raise. Another suggestion. Put a lock ON the windows automatically, even when the keys aren't in the ignition. I just cant believe cars builders are not thinking more. they should think of every possible thing that could happen with everything they make. I hope they solve this, and maybe save future lives. Lex. Posted by: Alexasnder | Aug 11, 07 09:24 PM

The solution is so simple. It saves money instead of costing $40 more per car. It even helps your health by forcing your to have a "little" exercise. Instead of using technology to solve a problem brought by one of the most useless piece of technology there is, why not simply go back to something that worked for everybody in the past, and still works for me: turning the little crank. "They are stupid" because they do not put auto-reverse in every car? I think they are stupid simply to use powered windows. People are so lazy that they seem to see a motorized window as a necessity, while it is just a useless gadget. The problem is not in the gadget itself, it is in the choice that people make of using it. The danger is not with the technology, it is with everybody taking for granted a technology that does not solve a problem. I never heard of somebody complaining about how difficult it was to open or close a car window. They solved the "problem" anyway with powered windows. Come on... When you buy a new car, do not ask for Auto-Reverse, ask for a simple mechanical crank. But it is such a pain to use... Posted by: Jacques Bourgeois | Aug 11, 07 09:56 PM

I've heard about this topic, and I just saw parts of it today on TV. I have never bought a vehicle before, but maybe companies should invest in installing an automatic lock that you have to press a certain way to put the window up, it's an idea. Other than that, if they can't find the time to fix power windows so they do what consumers want, maybe they should go back to old fashioned manual windows where there can't be very many problems with that. Kids or no kids, anyone with a conscious should want to change power windows. Posted by: Cassandra P | Aug 12, 07 10:33 AM

I think some folks here are missing the point. The safety of a child is always the parents responsibility first. But should a child die just because a parent turns their back for a moment? Of course not. All it takes is a few seconds for these windows to go up. When it comes to responsibility, all of society needs to share some of it. Parents do need to be attentive, but car manufacturers could easily install this additional feature at a low cost. So why not do it? The reason car manufacturers do not want to do it is because they are making oodles of cash and simply do not care. You may think these parents who have lost children in this way were responsible and that may be true to a point, but it only takes a moment for tragedy to strike. It can happen to anyone! Posted by: Shawn | Aug 12, 07 11:00 AM

I'm appalled at the way people are once again blaming the government for not being able to keep an eye on their own children. It seems to me that people need to start taking more care of their kids. Having a child IS a 24hrs job. As for small children, parents don't really like taking responsibility and when bad things happen, well of course then it becomes easier to blame the government. When you have children, it is up to you to look after them and take responsibility for them.. Instead of trying to force the government to do modifications to your own vehicle, why not try taking responsibility? Posted by: wendy | Aug 12, 07 11:34 AM

When I first got here.. I was 50/50 on the whole issue... sure auto-reverse is a good idea.. in theory, but "mom and dad" should've taken the kids out of the car. I'm no longer 50/50... auto-reverse should be optional, yes, but not madatory... the argument of potential car jackers being able to open your window but just sticking their hand in it scares me to death. I am a mother and would NEVER EVER EVER leave my son alone in a vehicle... even with manual windows, so why shouldn't these negelctful (yes neglectful... knowing something is dangerous and doing it anyway... ie: leaving your child in a car.. ALONE... and while it is ON) parents be held responsible? It is terrible and heartbreaking that their children died in such a tragic manner and at such a young age. Posted by: Amanda Ennis | Aug 12, 07 11:57 AM

I cant believe some of the calous comments I have read here today. Car-jacking? How many times are you going to get car-jacked versus having your kids in the back-seat of your car? If a car jacker puts a gun to your face through your window, is the window going to stop the bullet? What if you are driving in busy traffic - with the kids in the backseat, and the kids are opening and closing the windows on their own, while you are pre-occupied paying attention to the road? Kids can be very unpredictable, as I have come to appreciate, being the parent of a 3 and 5 year-old. Why are their air-bags in cars? Why do we make our kids wear helmuts when they ride their bikes? We are all responsible and attentive adults arent we? Why should we need these safety features either? It's because we are HUMAN, and humans make mistakes. It is unreasonable to think a parent can pay 100% attention to their children 100% of the time. Posted by: Chris Batori | Aug 12, 07 12:08 PM

Look at the problem logically. These parents are just emotionally charged and don't want to wake up to the reality that laziness like leaving your car running or leaving your kids in the car is neglectful. The Big 3's priorities are currently more of reputation rebuilding and improvement of quality than on passive safety features. I'm sure within a decade you'll see this as a standard feature. But right now when most manufacturers don't offer Side Impact & Curtain airbags as standard safety features this power window issue is insignificant. If you want to press the auto industry for more safety, push for more beneficial safety features that will save 1000s of lives. In a manufacturer's eyes, its cheaper to risk being sued in a very unlikely incident than to install these new power windows in all cars. Posted by: A.J. Subram | Aug 12, 07 12:22 PM

Firstly my heart goes out to the parents of the children that have been killed or injured by the power windows. My expreince with power windows, as I was driving down the road, my beloved dog with his head out the window manged to put the window up with his paw. There he was paw on the switch, head caught choking, and freaking out, I could not put the window down cause his paw was still on the switch. Thank God I was able to pull off the highway safely calm my dog down enough to put the window down. First thing I did when I got home was to disconnect the power window, now I control the windows at all times. Posted by: Armand | Aug 12, 07 12:40 PM

I agree with David Phillips. My friend and I have several times talked about how people need to get a license to reproduce. That will never happen, unfortunately. What has happened with these kids is called "survival of the fittest." I also want to add that I definitely don't want the feature because of possible carjackings, etc. I'd rather smash the hand of somebody trying to get in. No thanks, I'll just be a responsible parent instead. Posted by: Christy | Aug 12, 07 12:41 PM

Since when has it become the responsibility of the public, the government, the auto makers to raise and look after our children? If you bring a child into this world, or choose to raise a child, that child or children is the responsibility of the parent(s) alone. We all make mistakes as parents and will do something at some point we wish we could take back, but come on, would you leave an open bottle of vodka on the table next to your child's dinner plate? Sound very odd to do? Well then why would we leave our children in vehicles that are left running, or vehicles not running but have the keys in the ignition, the windows unlocked? Parents need to take responsibility for their children, not blame society for their mistakes. I do have to say that this has opened my eyes even wider to not take for granted the safety of my children - I am even more watchful now than before, and I hope others can have something good come from this...and I am glad to read that I'm not the only one that believes it should be a parent's responsibility to look after their own children. Posted by: Kim | Aug 12, 07 01:32 PM

I found this show to be very one-sided, making the government and the automakers look reponsible for these accidents. Parents need to start taking responsibility for their own children. If there is anything the government should be doing to help, it would be to start fining and prosecuting parents who leave their children alone. Posted by: Blake McLeod | Aug 12, 07 01:53 PM

I watched part of the show about the power windows, (had to leave about 10 minutes into it, because my kids needed something. Irrelevant? maybe. ) I saw the woman's sadness about losing her daughter, as a result of the power window. The woman in question was irresponsible. You don't leave children unsupervised in a running car. Posted by: Monica Murphy | Aug 12, 07 01:57 PM

Simple.. don't leave your kids alone in the car!!! Hello???? The transport canada lady said it in her first sentence... parents are responsible. Have we lost common sense? Please Marketplace, pick better consumer idea... this was useless fluff. Posted by: Neil Harrington | Aug 12, 07 08:54 PM

what i have to say is not very nice, and does not fare well for neglectfully ignorant parents who leave their small children unattended in vehicles...with the keys in it and it running!!!! this is a hard lesson learned with paying the ultimate price. knowing how much power a power window has may not be known to everyone, but knowing that children should not be left alone in vehicles is common knowledge. go auto industries, i'm behind you 100%! Posted by: az | Aug 13, 07 02:51 AM

I feel bad for a parents loss of a child, but I have to side with everyone who says don't blame the auto industry. Make auto reverse an option for people with kids who are stupid enough to leave a child unattended in a running auto. 80-90% of people had no idea that power windows could injure, or kill????? News flash: Read manual that came with your vehicle. It is spelled out pretty clearly that power windows are potentially dangerous. Posted by: Never Mind | Aug 14, 07 12:32 AM

Don't judge someone till you walk in her shoes. She should not have left her kids alone in the vehicle but everyone makes a mistake and this one cost her dearly. Another comment said that all cars have a lock switch for the windows, my ban does NOT. I would gladly pay extra to have an option to turn the auto reverse window on and off much the same a some vehicles allow you to do with and air bag. Do you chastize the parent who turns off the air bag for saftey concerns and then had a deadly accident? I don't think so. If you were not there, its not up to you to blame her. Accidents happen. Hope one never happent to anyone here who thinks that she was being negligent. Posted by: Mom of 3 C.R. | Aug 14, 07 10:08 AM

I'm so glad to see that people have the same opinion as I do. I felt cruel for thinking "why are these people blaming the car?". It's horrible but it was a terrible accident and there are a lot of accidents that blame is not the issue. I can just imagine what would happen when the first child goes missing if car manufacturer's did this because the child who was left alone was hot and put down the window. It may only be $8 per window and it seems some people can afford it if they can afford to leave their car running with such high gas prices. And what will happen next time a child sticks his/ her hand out the window and gets it clipped by another car? Who's fault will it be then? Healing is a long and discovering process and I grieve for all the kids killed in the accidents we've heard about but blame is not the crucial part of the process; learning from the experience is. Posted by: Sarah Butland | Aug 15, 07 09:00 PM

Being a mom & knowing some struggles other parents have with their kids, adults being responsible & some not-so, I think that auto-reverse should be optional. The feature with an on/off switch of sorts is nice, but could still be dangerous. All parents should be more aware & more responsible, BUT, some are & still can't keep their kids in check 100%. Kids are smart, curious & often wait for parents to be distracted so they can do something, whether they know the action is right/wrong. Consider ADD/HD kids & FAS kids/others that have no concept of consequences? It can be extra challenging when dealing with these kids. Even if parents are irresponsible, is it acceptable to have an innocent child lose its life because of that? The 1 mother made many mistakes. Parents are human & CAN make even 1 mistake...just like everyone who has posted here. I am sure everyone has. Deaths are not the manufacturer's fault, but the feature should still be available to those who could use it. I think that it is a no-brainer. Would there be any way to make this feature an after-market option, even? Companies could make more money & is similar to the back-up warning feature that some vehicles make. Are those drivers that need those just as irresponsible for not paying attention to what is behind their vehicle? Kids in cars FAR outnumber car jacking situations. I almost got my fingers stuck in a power window. I didn't press the button, the driver did. He is far from irresponsible, but was busy driving & was unaware of my actions as he did up the window. What if it had been a child's arm instead? Suggestion for those fighting for this feature: has a class-action lawsuit been considered? The companies would not be able to ignore millions who would support it. Posted by: LK | Aug 16, 07 02:08 PM

I'm sorry, but parents need to be responsible for their actions. Parents should realize that if they have kids in the car, they need to look where they are when they are closing windows and doors. Auto reverse wil cause more car jackings, and maybe even increase pedophiles from stealing kids from cars since they will know that the window will open. PARENTS PLEASE TAKE RESPOSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS. And don't put the blasme on people who build cars, since you can get this added from specialized after market sales representatives. The automakers could make this an option, but it may cause more problems and deaths than as it presently stands. Posted by: MD | Aug 23, 07 08:13 PM

I would agree with both points of view on this subject. I feel that parents are the ones held accountable if something like this happens, and I also feel that auto-makes should provide more options. However, I also agree with the representative of the auto industry when he gave the example of a car jacker trying to make his way into the vehicle. In this instance, the auto-reverse would not be a "safety feature", quite the opposite, in fact. I feel the auto manufacturers have done well buy redesigning the way the controls for the windows are operated, as well as the window lock button. Perhaps all the have left to do, is reduce the force that the window ascends with. But ultimately, parents are held responsible. If you leave your child in the car, and your car is stolen, whose responsible for that? All actions have reactions. Posted by: FZ | Sep 2, 07 12:44 PM