Before you trust this viral ‘life hack,’ watch it tested on video
Since 2016, an irresponsible social media post has claimed “the headrest of car seats is deliberately kept detachable and sharp so that it could be used to break open the glass of cars in case of fires or emergencies.”
The post also insisted, “The car’s glass too is kept easily breakable from inside.” It wrapped everything in urgency: “Very few people know about it and thus can’t save themselves in case of emergencies. Please share it.” No surprise it has circulated for years.
The “safety tip” likely originated on a Japanese game show in 2012.
Snopes’ mythbusting team dug deep to disprove the rumor. Writer Dan Evon tracked down the original patent for automotive seat headrests and reviewed the NHTSA’s latest standards. Nothing suggested they’re designed for smashing windows in emergencies.
What actually happens when someone tries it
Lieutenant Ryan Mason of the Coral Springs, Florida, Fire Department took a hands-on approach. He climbed into a car, pulled off a headrest, and slammed it against the window. The fit fireman had to hit the glass as hard as he could eight times before it finally shattered. You can see his experiment in the video embedded below:
Breaking a window with a headrest might be possible for some people. But it’s far from your best option—especially in a sinking car where water pressure keeps the doors shut. The myth is dangerous because you probably won’t test your own windows until an emergency. Assuming your headrest can easily break the glass might stop you from buying a safety hammer or another proven window-breaking tool. And that assumption could be deadly.
