Seating in Cars with Airbags

Updated on October 03, 2008
L.H. asks from New Alexandria, PA
6 answers

We have an front passenger seat airbag. My daughter is 4 ft. 9 inches. I do not let her sit in the front seat. My husband thinks that it would be safe for her to do so. He says that she is tall enough. Most safety experts say not let a child sit in the front seat before 12 years old. That was my practice with my oldest two daughters. They did not sit in the front seat until they were twelve. They were both a bit taller than average at that age.

My husband says it is more height than age that is the danger. He says that some people who are older but shorter than average wouldn't be safe with an airbag.

Does anyone know about this? Is there a height under which it is not safe for a person to sit in a seat with a front airbag? Does the age recommendation have a purpose, perhaps development of head and neck? I am confused about this.

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L.P.

answers from Harrisburg on

Hi L.,

This is what I found on-line:
Do not put small children in the front seat of vehicle that has an air bag. Put a child that does not use a safety seat and who is less than five ft. in height in the back seat.

So going by this the child should be over 5 feet tall.

I also found this:
One of the study limitations is the lack of information in crash data systems about a child's height or weight. The study used age of child instead of height or weight because only age is recorded in the federal government's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

L.

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T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

I just started to allow my 12 year old and also my 11 year old. My 11 year old is a few inches taller and about 20 lbs or so heavier. I never knew it was a height thing. I think my oldest is 4 ft. 11 in. Even with my two younger girls begging i have not let them up front. I would say it is what makes you comfortable.

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M.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I believe the saying goes "Better safe than sorry." You can call your local fire department, pediatrician, or look up the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, they are the ones that set the standards and do all the testing. I don't know specifics, but I do remember hearing that the front passenger seat is the most dangerous seat in a vehicle...don't know if it's old wives tale or true, but worth thinking about.

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S.W.

answers from Harrisburg on

read in your cars manual - it should tell you there - about the age/height/weight requirements. another thing you can do is to call the local police department they should be able to tell you -

another thing - does your car's airbag turn off? thats an easy way to think about it - i know my current car and my last car the passenger airbags turned off if you didnt weigh enough to be "safe".

but you should go with your gut - have your daughter sit in the front seat and then hold a pillow in front of the dash board and move it straight out to her face - thats a somewhat good idea- b/c the air bags iare pretty big.

hopefully that helps
S. w

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S.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

Do not listen to your husband. Height means nothing. A child of that age can not handle the impact regardless of their size. Their organs are not fully developed and are not ready for that kind of trama. You are doing the right thing. Wait until the age suggested!!

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B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I always thought that you also needed to be at least 100 lbs to sit in the front seat with an ait bag.

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