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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To want my air bag on?

23 replies

Cheeseatmidnight · 21/07/2013 11:28

Sometimes I forget to turn the airbag on when dp sets off driving and as we need the key to turn it on I occasionally ask him to pull over so I can put it on.

I know I should try and remember before we go etc etc but Dp gets REALLY annoyed with me - not because he has to pull over but because he doesn't see the point.

AUBU to think airbags could save my life?!

OP posts:

MortifiedAdams · 21/07/2013 11:28

Why would the airbag be off?

MrsDoomsPatterson · 21/07/2013 11:31

It needs to be off on the passenger side if you have a child under 12 in the front.

Wenchelda · 21/07/2013 11:34

I thought the airbag only had to be off if there's a rear facing baby seat there? So if a child in a forward facing seat is in the front, I think the airbag should still be on? (Correct me if I'm wrong)

Justforlaughs · 21/07/2013 11:35

Why would you turn it off in the first place? I know that you have to do so if you have a child in the front seat, but make them sit in the back! What a hassle, YANBU to want it switched on this from someone who never had an airbag in their car, as the cars have always been too old! but don't turn it off in the first place.

Sirzy · 21/07/2013 11:38

Don't turn it off in the first place.

Personally I d

Sirzy · 21/07/2013 11:39

Don't turn it off in the first place.

Personally I don't think I could be bothered pulling over to turn it on either.

lurkerspeaks · 21/07/2013 11:40

Children are safer in the back. Don't turn airbag off. You won't forget to turn it back on.

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 21/07/2013 11:41

I wish I could turn my driver's airbag off. I'm a small person and have to sit so close to it that it will break my neck if it goes off. :(

Concentrates the mind wonderfully, mind.

Original poster

Cheeseatmidnight · 21/07/2013 12:12

Sorry to drip feed - I am a childminder so have 4 children a day in the car.

OP posts:

Justforlaughs · 21/07/2013 12:17

If it is YOU who turn it off, get into the habit of turning it back on as soon as the kids go home. YABU tbh, I'd be p*** off if my other half kept turning it off and then wanted me to pull over to turn it back on again because he hadn't bothered before.

Justforlaughs · 21/07/2013 12:20

and you cannot, surely, have 4 children in rear facing car seats. Other than that, you don't need to turn the airbag off at all, just push the passenger seat back as far as possible.

Original poster

Cheeseatmidnight · 21/07/2013 12:27

Oh I thought you had to turn it off!

Anyway, it's not that dp is pissed off with pulling over its that he doesn't see why I need it on mainly. We end up having a weird car safety discussion every time

OP posts:

EdwiniasRevenge · 21/07/2013 12:35

Pushing the seat as far back as it will go is a last resort if you can't turn it off.

Justforlaughs · 21/07/2013 12:38

You're not supposed to turn it off unless you have a rear facing seat edwinias
OP, YANBU to want it on, they are designed to save lives, your OP is being a bit daft to object to it being on, but maybe he sees it a slur on his driving, even though it is obviously no such thing.

Justforlaughs · 21/07/2013 12:41

I want to backtrack slightly, it appears that it depends on which web page you read as to whether you should have an airbag on with children in the front. However, the webpage that suggests that you always turn it off also states that no child under 14 should ever sit in the front of the car.

gordyslovesheep · 21/07/2013 12:48

over 12

www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/childrencar.htm

EdwiniasRevenge · 21/07/2013 12:50

I was going by the instructions supplied with my carseats.

Justforlaughs · 21/07/2013 13:32

gordy obviously lots of conflicting advice out there.
OP I still think that if it is YOU who turn it off, for whatever reason, YOU need to be the one who gets into the habit of turning it back on.

Pubicfoothair · 21/07/2013 14:26

I have 3 children in rearfacing seats including one in the front, with the airbag off. It's an isofix seat and therefore suitable for car seats. I thought if a child was forward facing you had to turn the airbag back on.

ClaraOswald · 21/07/2013 15:07

If there is an active airbag, children should not sit in the front.

It is designed for an adult and can actually severely injure children if it goes off because their body isn't in the "right" position for it to work properly.

foreverondiet · 21/07/2013 15:34

Only has to be off with child in rear facing seat - although with child under 12 need to move seat as far back as possible so force of airbag is less. Personally I would never turn off - just move the seat right back - and never put baby in front.

Justforlaughs · 21/07/2013 15:36

That's what I thought foreveronadiet but there is some conflicting advice on various websites.

Hissy · 21/07/2013 16:43

Is the Under 12 bit related to the height? I understand that once over 135, it's not necessary to use a car booster seat, so therefore is my DS OK in the front seat with me with the airbags on?

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