Car Air Bags & Child Safety | Vehicle Air Bag Safety Tips

Designed for Adults, Dangerous for Kids

Airbags are a lifesaving technology for adults, but they can pose a serious threat to children. Airbags are designed to deploy with massive force—up to 200 mph—to stop an average-sized adult male from hitting the dashboard. Because children are smaller and have different bone structures, this explosive force can cause severe injury or even death if the child is sitting in the wrong place.

Critical Safety Rules:

To maximize safety, follow these non-negotiable rules whenever you are transporting children:

• The Back Seat is Best: All children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat. It is the safest place in the vehicle, keeping them far away from the front-impact zone and active airbags.
• Never Use Rear-Facing Seats in Front: Absolutely never place a rear-facing infant seat in the front passenger seat if the airbag is active. The back of the safety seat is too close to the dashboard, putting the infant’s head directly in the path of the deploying airbag.
• Proper Positioning: Children who have outgrown booster seats should sit with their backs against the seat and feet on the floor. They should not lean forward, against the door, or put their feet on the dashboard.
• Seat Belt Fit: Ensure the seat belt fits properly—across the upper thighs (not stomach) and across the shoulder (not the neck). Use a booster seat until the belt fits correctly, typically when the child is 4’9″ tall.

Exceptions for Single-Row Vehicles

If you drive a pick-up truck or two-seater sports car and must transport a child in the front, you must take precautions. Move the passenger seat as far back as it will go on its tracks. If your vehicle is equipped with a manual ON/OFF switch for the passenger airbag, turn it to OFF.

Frequently Asked Questions