Inside Edition aired a mother’s warning after a car repair went very wrong. In October 2016, Alon Abare, a New York mom, told Inside Edition that she was scalped when her long hair became entangled in a running fan belt as she leaned under her car’s hood during a mechanical issue.
“Without thinking, I reached in, and my hair got caught,” Abare said in the segment. She said she now relies on a wig. “I wear my wig, and it feels like it’s still the same. But mentally, it’s a struggle.”
Her kids’ fast actions
Abare recounted that she screamed for help and her children rushed in. “I told them, ‘Find a pair of scissors and cut Mommy’s hair out so I can get free,’” she said. According to her account, her son Sam turned off the engine while her daughter Logan carefully cut her hair to release it. “They were incredibly focused and driven by the need to help their mom,” Abare said.
Treatment plan reported at the time
Opposing Views’ write-up credited Dr. Keimun Slaughter of the Williams Center for Plastic Surgery in Albany as treating Abare and stated the goal was to prepare her scalp for a future hair transplant. Abare was using a wig to cover her injuries at the time.
Why long hair and running engines don’t mix
Inside Edition worked with auto safety expert Lauren Fix to show the risk: a wig placed on a mannequin under a running hood was quickly pulled into the belt system. The segment also noted similar hazards around go‑kart engines, farm machinery, and some amusement rides.
Safety steps voiced in the segment
Lauren Fix offered this guidance: “Always pull your hair back. If you’re checking for a leak or replacing parts, make sure to secure your hair and remove anything that could get caught. And always turn off the vehicle.”
Additional tips listed in the report:
- Remove jewelry like bracelets and watches that could snag or touch electrical components.
- Avoid anything that dangles, including ties or scarves.
- Keep gloves in your car and wear them when working on it.
- Many auto parts stores offer free help with tasks such as wiper blade and filter replacements.
Sourcing: Inside Edition segment and Opposing Views’ summary (which cites Yahoo Finance). Human review required.
