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Safety system of your vehicle
Seat belt use and children
Infant and small children
Most countries have Child Restraint
System laws which require children to
travel in approved Child Restraint
System devices, including booster
seats. The age at which seat belts can
be used instead of Child Restraint
System differs among countries, so
you should be aware of the specific
requirements in your country, and
where you are travelling. Infant and
Child Restraint System must be prop-
erly placed and installed in a rear seat.
For more information refer to the “Child
Restraint Systems” in this chapter.
Small children are best protected from
injury in an accident when properly
restrained in the rear seat by a Child
Restraint System that meets the
requirements of the Safety Standards
of your country. Before buying any Child
Restraint System, make sure that it has
a label certifying that it meets Safety
Standard of your country. The restraint
must be appropriate for your child's
height and weight. Check the label on
the Child Restraint System for this
information. Refer to “Child Restraint
Systems” in this chapter.
Larger children
Children under age 13 and who are
too large for a booster seat must
always occupy the rear seat and use
the available lap/shoulder belts. A
seat belt should lie across the upper
thighs and be snug across the shoul-
der and chest to restrain the child
safely. Check belt fit periodically. A
child's squirming could put the belt
out of position. Children are afforded
the most safety in the event of an
accident when they are restrained by
a proper restraint system and/or seat
belts in the rear seat.
If a larger child over age 13 must be
seated in the front seat, the child
must be securely restrained by the
available lap/shoulder belt and the
seat should be placed in the rear-
most position.
If the shoulder belt portion slightly
touches the child’s neck or face, try
placing the child closer to the center
of the vehicle. If the shoulder belt still
touches their face or neck, they need
to be returned to an appropriate
booster seat in the rear seat.
ALWAYS properly restrain infants
and small children in a Child
Restraint System appropriate for
the child’s height and weight.
To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death to a child and other
passengers, NEVER hold a child
in your lap or arms when the vehi-
cle is moving. The violent forces
created during an accident will
tear the child from your arms and
throw the child against the interior
of the vehicle.
WARNING
