ADVICE NEEDED - car seats and airbags

[Hulababy]

I really need some help here.

My new car (2 seater Smart Convertible) is ready to collect on thursday. With it I ordered a special (very expensive) car seat which when fixed automatically disables the passenger airbag - for 3.5yo DD.

Well this afternoon Dh has spoken with the garage and this seat is not available. I don't know why. The garage simply says that they just recommended the passenger seat is pushed as far back as it can go, and then children are okay.

Now I know that this is not recommended AT ALL for infant carriers, but I am also quite sure it isn't really recommended for children in booster chairs, etc either. I just can't see how DD would be safe if that airbag went off and hit her.

They are now looking at their alternatives as I have told Dh that we can't have a car which I can't put DD into -- as upset and fed up as I am.

I think DH thinks I am overreacting, but the one thing I am not prepared to do is put DD at risk in the car.

What do you think?

i think that i would look elsewhere for the seat.

actually to be totally honest i don't think i would have got a car which meant my child had to be in the front....

Her being in the front of this car isn't an issue if there is no airbag - she can't reach the dashboard. So not that much difference to being in the back and possible hitting the back of the car seat in front IYSWIM.

However the airbag - as they are huge when inflated - might possible hit her.

The car seat is specific to the car make, so not available on the general market.

Dh has just phoned. Apparantly there is a panel thing that they fit into the bottom of the car seat (the one I ordered?) that does turn the airbag off. They are looking at that now and seeing how long it takes to order.

Do you get the impression they do not have a clue what they are talking about re car seats in manay garages?

yeah but as a general rule kids are safer in the back than in the front regardless of airbags.

there is risk of something coming through the front window/glass shattering all over the place.

buuuuuuuuut... seeing as you already are getting the car i would definitely see about sourcing the seat from elsewhere

Here are the guidleiones from Rospa

"Passenger Airbag in Front of Car
It is safer to put children, including babies, in the rear of the car. Some parents prefer to put babies in the front so they can keep an eye on them. However, it is very dangerous to put a rearward-facing baby seat in the front if there is an airbag fitted on the passenger side. The baby seat will be very close to the dashboard and if the airbag went off it would strike the baby seat with considerable force.

It is not as dangerous to fit forward-facing seats in the front when there is an airbag present (although it is still better to put them in the rear), but make sure that the car seat is as far back as possible and the child seat is securely held to maximise the distance between the child and the airbag.

Solution
Fit rearward facing baby seats in the rear of the car. If you feel (for medical reasons, for instance) that the baby needs to be constantly monitored, find an adult to sit with the baby.

If you must put a forward-facing seat in the front when there is an airbag present (make sure that the car seat is as far back as possible and the child seat is securely held to maximise the distance between the child and the airbag.

It may be possible to have the passenger airbag de-activated or removed, although this means that any adult passenger sitting in the front will no longer have the extra protection offered by the airbag. Check with the car manufacturer and follow their advice. "

Sorry, clear as mud . Technically the garage are right but I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable doing it.

could you not phone smart/mercedes and ask them?

I have already looked into all that starlover and the Smart is actually one of the safest small carss around for all passengers. Done a lot of research recently :D Part of the reason we are getting it. I would not however have put her in the front when in the first stage car seats. The glass/shatter thing is as possible with any accident. Infact the (very) nasty accident I was in when a teenager it was the back window that went and the toddlers in the back had cuts from that. I was in the front and got no glass cuts. So could always argue that from most angles.

Anyway it is ordered currently. So it is just the car seat issue at the moment I need to consider...

there is no back seast in this car is there?

Thanks Liz. I did wonder whether the rules were different with the new laws for 2006 but cn't find anything.

Hoping this panel thing is available now.

No - it is a 2 seater,

is there no other way of turning it off?

Still waiting. Will now know more tomorrow according to DH.

Don't think the new law impacts upon over 3's in the front, where there is no alternative, but may well legislate against the rear facing ones being used with active airbags.

Thanks

why on earth did you buy a 2 seater?

What happened to the VW Beetle you were so chuffed with?

It was you wasn't it?

Yes. I still have the Beetle. It is going in part ex. It is very uneconomical with petrol and as I do 80 mile return journey to work, it is costly.

Re the car seat. Looks like it is sorted. Been on Smart's website and I need the basisfix and mount to go witht he car seat. Now why didn't the garage know this? Grrr.