Kids and air bags ()
When there is a car crash, front air bags open and cushion the driver and front-seat passenger from the force of an impact. For kids, however, this air bag force is too strong and can seriously hurt or even kill them. Follow these safety tips to keep kids safe while riding in a vehicle.
Air bags can be dangerous to:
- A child riding in a rear-facing car seat in the front seat.
- A child younger than 13 sitting in the front seat.
- An adult not wearing a seat belt.
- A driver sitting very close to the steering wheel.
- A passenger sitting very close to the dashboard.
Air bag safety
Check both your vehicle owner’s manual and car seat instruction manual for directions on car seat installation near an air bag.
What if there is no back seat?
- The safest recommendation is to use another vehicle that has a back seat.
- Never place a rear-facing child seat in the front seat in front of an air bag. It is not safe and can cause serious injury or death.
- If a forward-facing child must be transported in the front seat, the child should be correctly restrained in a car seat for their age, weight and height.
- The vehicle seat should be placed as far back from the dashboard and air bag as possible.
- If the vehicle has an air bag on-off switch, turn it off when a child rides in front. Turn it back on to protect teens and adults.
When can older kids ride in front?
The safest recommendation is that all kids younger than 13 should ride in the back seat, because their muscles and bone structure are not fully developed.
Read your vehicle’s air bag safety information, typically located on the front-seat visor of the vehicle.
