According to Consumer Reports magazine, every year, ten to twenty people, both adults and children, die while trapped in car trunks. Some are children playing games, and others are adult victims of crimes.
Since the 2002 model year, new cars have had a glow-in-the-dark release handle in the trunk, designed to allow escape.
If you have a vehicle older than a 2002, you can buy an inexpensive release handle kit that can be easily installed in almost any car. This accessory is well-worth the cost.