___ C_h_i_ld_ S_a_f_e_t_y ______________________________________________ _
child is available . In these exceptional situations, the use of a lap
belt is better than permitting the chi ld to remain totally unre -
strained . But remember: a lap belt cannot provide the same level of
protec t ion as a proper child restraint or a t hree-point lap and
shoulder belt if the child is big enough . Also, using a lap belt for
younger child ren, who should be using a chi ld restraint, may violate
laws in your state or Province .
Never use a lap belt alone to restrain a chi ld that weighs less than
about 80 lbs (36 kg) and who is less than 4'9" ta l l. Always remember
that chi ldren do not have the pronounced pelvic structure required
for the proper function of lap belts. If a lap belt is only restraint
system available, then the child's safety absolutely requires that the
lap belt be fastened snug ly and as low as possible around the pelv is
let a lap belt pass over the chi ld's stomach or abdomen .
& WARNING
Using wrong child restraints or improperly installed child
restraint s can cause serious personal injury or death in a crash.
• Failure to properly route safety belts over a child's body will
cause severe injurie s in a crash. The lap belt portion of the three
point belt as well as any lap belt alone must alw ays pass as low as
possible across the pelvis, never over the stom ach or abdomen.
• An improperl y w orn safet y belt w ill not provide the best prote c-
tion in a crash and may cause serious personal injury. Alwa ys
make sure that childr en and other vehicle occupant s properl y
wear available restraint systems. Carefully follow the instruction s
provided by the manuf acturer s of child restrai nt s. •
Installing a child safety seat
Securing a child safety seat using a safety
belt
Safety belts for the rear seats and the fr ont passenger can
be locked with the convertible locking retractor to prop-
erly secure child safety seats.
The safety belts emergency locking retractors fo r the rear seats
safety belts and for the front passenger's seat safety belt have a
conve rtible locking ret ractor for child restraints . The safety belt
must be locked so that belt webbing cannot unreel. The retractor
can be activated to lock the safety belt and prevent the safety belt
webbing from loosening up during normal dr iving. A child safety
seat can only be properly instal led when the safety belt is locked so
that t he child and child safety seat w ill stay in place .
Always remember: Even though your vehicle is equipped with an
Advanced Airbag system, all children, especially those 12 years and
younger, should always ride in the back seat p roperly restra ined for
their age and size.
& WARNING
Improperly installed child safety seat s increa se the risk of serious
personal injury and death in a collision.
• Alway s make sure that the safety belt retractor is locked wh en
installing a child safety seat . An unlocked safety belt retra ctor
cannot hold the child safety seat in place during normal driv ing or
in a crash.
• Alway s buckle the child safety seat firml y in place even if a
child is not sitting in it. A loose child safet y seat can fly around
during a sudden stop or in a collision
• If the backrest is not securely latched , the child and the child
restraint will be thrown forward together with the backrest and .,
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