When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child
restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle.
If
it is,
it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor
vehicle safety standards.
Then follow the instructions for the restraint.
You
may
find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a
booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system
in your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured
within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal
injury. When securing an add-on child restraint, refer
to the instructions that come with the restraint which may
be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and
to this manual. The child restraint instructions are
important,
so
if they are not available, obtain a
replacement copy from the manufacturer.
Where
to
Put the Restraint
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
General Motors, therefore, recommends that child
restraints be secured in a rear seat, including an
infant riding in
a
rear-facing infant seat, a child riding
in a forward-facing child seat and an older child
riding in a booster seat.
Never
put a rear-facing child restraint in the front
passenger seat. Here’s why:
A child
in
a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because the
back of the rear-facing child restraint would be
very close to the inflating air bag. Always secure
a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat.
You may secure a forward-facing child restraint
in
the right front seat, but before you do, always
move the front passenger seat as far back as
it
will go. It’s better to secure the child restraint
in
a rear seat.
Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child
restraint properly.
Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move
around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in
the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint
in your vehicle
-
even when no child is in it.
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