car seats and air bags

[Cl]

Anyone know what age/size kids have to be before they can go in the front seat in a car seat opposite an air bag?

Britax say, on their website, that no child seat should ever be placed in a seat with an air bag, and that includes their seats which fit up to age 11.

I frequently have to carry 6 children in our people carrier which has an air bag fitted. When I consulted the AA, their advice was that the largest child, with an appropriate booster seat should sit in the front with the seat as far back as possible. Not very helpful, but is a guideline anyway. The kids I am transporting are 4 x 3yrs and 2 younger. Since my 3yr old was biggest, it was my problem.

I believe some cars can have the airbag disabled, so I guess that is also an option.

Message withdrawn

I read a story of an airbag going off even though it was disabled. Apparently the only way to ensure it doesn't go off is to remove the airbag altogether.

I had my passenger airbag removed when I bought my car. It costs approx £150 to replace.

Bloss - I believe US airbags are a lot bigger than in UK cars, because there is no compulsion to wear a seatbelt therefore the only safety device has to be more effective. I still wouldn't risk it, though.