Mazda 2002 Mazda MX-5, Owner'S Manual

Page: 21 / 252

2-13
Essential Safety Equipment
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
Child Restraint
Mazda strongly urges the use of child-restraint systems for children small enough to use
them.
You are required by law to use a child-restraint system for children in the U.S. and Canada.
Small children, generally those who are four years old or younger and who weigh under 18
kg (40 lb), riding in your vehicle, must be protected by child-restraint systems made
especially for children.
Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the safety
of children riding in your vehicle.
Whatever child-restraint system you consider, please pick the appropriate one for the age
and size of the child, obey the law and follow the instructions that come with the individual
child-restraint system.
A child who has outgrown child-restraint systems should use seat belts, both lap and
shoulder. If the shoulder belt crosses the neck or face, move the child closer to the center.
A rear-facing child-restraint system should NEVER be used in the front seat because it
would be too close to the air bag. The passenger’s seat is also the least preferred seat for
other child-restraint systems.
We have provided a deactivation switch that will disable passenger-side air bag inflation.
Do not switch off the passenger-side air bag without reading the "Passenger-Side Air Bag
Deactivation Switch" (page 2-20).
Child Restraint Precautions
Proper Size of Child-Restraint System:
For effective protection in vehicle accidents and sudden stops, a child must be
properly restrained using a seat belt or child-restraint system depending on age and
size. If not, the child could be seriously injured or even killed in an accident.
WARNING
J07L_8Q42-EA-01F.book Page 13 Tuesday, March 5, 2002 3:14 PM