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SAFeTy
SAFeTy
Protecting Infants
An infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until the infant
reaches the seat maker’s weight or height limit for the seat, and the infant is at least one
year old. Many experts recommend use of a rear-facing seat for a child up to two years
old if the child’s height and weight are appropriate for a rear-facing seat.
Child seats must be placed and secured in a rear seating position. Rear-facing child seats
should never be installed in a forward-facing position.
When properly installed, a rear-facing child seat may prevent
the driver or a front passenger from moving their seat all
the way back, or from locking their seat-back in the desired
position. If this occurs, we recommend that you install the
child seat directly behind the front passenger’s seat, move the
seat as far forward as needed, and leave it unoccupied. Or,
you may wish to get a smaller rear-facing child seat.
Allowing a child to play with a seat belt or wrap one around their neck can
result in serious injury or death.
Instruct children not to play with any seat belt and make sure any unused
seat belt a child can reach is buckled, fully retracted, and locked.
Placing a rear-facing child seat in the front seat can result in serious injury or
death during a crash.
Always place a rear-facing child seat in the rear seat, not the front.
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Protecting Smaller Children
If a child is at least one year old and within the weight range indicated by the child seat
manufacturer, the child should be properly restrained in a firmly secured forward-facing
child seat.
We strongly recommend placing a forward-facing child seat
in a rear seating position.
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can
be hazardous, even with advanced front airbags that
automatically turn the passenger’s front airbag off. A rear
seat is the safest place for a child.
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can result in serious
injury or death if the front airbag inflates.
If you must place a forward-facing child seat in front, move the vehicle seat
as far back as possible, and properly restrain the child.
Selecting a Child Seat
Most child seats are LATCH-compatible (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren). Some
have a rigid-type connector, while others have a flexible-type connector. Both are equally
easy to use. Some existing and previously owned child seats can only be installed using
the seat belt. Whichever type you choose, follow the child seat manufacturer’s use and
care instructions as well as the instructions in this manual. Proper installation is key to
maximizing your child’s safety.
In seating positions and vehicles not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH-compatible child
seat can be installed using the seat belt and a top tether for added security. This is
because all child seats are required to be designed so that they can be secured with a lap
belt or the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt. In addition, the child seat manufacturer may
advise that a seat belt be used to attach a LATCH-compatible seat once a child reaches
a specified weight. Please read the child seat owner’s manual for proper installation
instructions.
Important considerations when selecting a child seat
Make sure the child seat meets the following three requirements:
•
The child seat is the correct type and size for the child.
•
The child seat is the correct type for the seating position.
•
The child seat is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
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