A safety sensing and/or release system for opening a closed compartment of a vehicle comprises a sensing element for sensing the presence of an occupant within the closed compartment of the vehicle, a control responsive to the sensing element, and a release system. The control is operable to provide an output signal in response to a detection of an occupant by the sensing element. The control may be selectably locked to limit providing an unintentional output signal. The release system is operable to open the closed compartment in response to the output signal of the control. The control may be selectably locked in response to an input signal indicative of at least one of the vehicle ignition being on and the vehicle moving, in order to prevent the compartment from unexpectedly opening while the vehicle is moving.