Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

Airbags and child seats in the front

36 replies

Ponka · 10/05/2007 23:06

I know that rear facing seats are a definate no but what about front facing ones for toddlers up to age 4 in the front passenger seat with an active air - bag? Is that O.K?

OP posts:
Ceolas · 10/05/2007 23:07

I don't think so.

eachpeachnallyplum · 10/05/2007 23:09

by law its ok for you to have a child of 3 years and above in the front with an active airbag, as long as you have the correct restraints. better to put them in the back though, for obvious reasons.

misdee · 10/05/2007 23:09

its not illegal but not recommened. if not other room for the seat then yes buit move the seat as far back as possible. or look into getting the airbag deactivated.

SlightlyMadScarecrow · 10/05/2007 23:11

Depends on teh model of car. Our vectra said it was safe to use forward facing seats in teh front as long as the passenger seat was as far back as it would go - which defeated the object cos it went so far back we couldn't fit a carseat behind it.

TBH DC are always safer in the back regardless of airbag issues.

ChocolateFace · 10/05/2007 23:14

I've always thought it was a big no no. Air bags are designed to protect male adults. Imagine if an air bag hit a pre-schooler in the face.

Original poster
Ponka · 10/05/2007 23:20

Thanks everyone. My friend is just about to have twins any day and needs to put her DD in the front but de-activating the airbag costs £70 and requires a trip to the dealer, I believe.

SMS, you can, yes. I've not done it but have seen others do it no problem. The doorways are pretty big. I guess it just depends how many people are on as to how easy it is. It's not far to go from the park and ride though.

OP posts:
NannyL · 10/05/2007 23:39

although not illegal it can still kill the child the event of a crash.

Not a risk i would personally take

misdee · 10/05/2007 23:43

i'd pay the #£70

eachpeachnallyplum · 10/05/2007 23:47

i don't know if my front airbag can be disabled... i have a ford galaxy. i know it couldn't in my astra. anyone know?

bloss · 11/05/2007 03:12

Message withdrawn

eidsvold · 11/05/2007 03:33

i'm with you bloss.

twentypence · 11/05/2007 03:50

I would pay the money to have the airbag deactivated - what car does she have? Couldn't she put all three children in the back at least initially - my friend with twins used the lap belt to secure in one of those baby capsules with a base that stays in the car.

Original poster
Ponka · 11/05/2007 07:23

Because they have to, Bloss. They can't get their 3 car seats all in a row in the back and a new car is a huge expense when you have 2 little ones on the way and you are already having to move house because of it.

A baby capsule sounds interesting though, twentypence. I've not heard of one of those. What are they? With under a week to go and having bought new car seats. I doubt my friend would be up for getting one but it's worth mentioning.

I should imagine they will choose to pay the £70. What Chocolateface says really sums it up. I've never seen one go off in real life but on TV they look so big, strong and sudden. Made for a grown man.

OP posts:
eidsvold · 11/05/2007 07:31

how then will they go out as a family if they can't get three seats across the back??

We had graco car seats - baby carry one with the slot in base that could be held in the car with the middle seat belt even if it was just a lap blt. ALso dd1's car seat - Britax from 1 year up could be held in the car with just a lap belt if need be. The graco bases were 20 dollars a piece - probably a bit more - as that was 2002.

eidsvold · 11/05/2007 07:33

you'll have to jsut put bloss' comment in context - here in Australia it is illegal for children under either 9 or 12 travel in the front of a car no mattter what. It was totally foreign to me when I got to the UK and saw lots of people with little ones in the front - especially babies who were just held in with the seat belt. Our car seats up to a certain age - think it is about 4 or so have to be bolted to the car!!!

Original poster
Ponka · 11/05/2007 08:05

The three baby seats they have are not possible but two baby seats and an adult squished in the middle just about is, eidsvold. It's not ideal but it's about the only option for the moment, I think. I didn't know that was the law in Australia. That's interesting. I wonder what the law is in other countries.

OP posts:
eidsvold · 11/05/2007 08:22

pics here for QLD where I live in Aus

Hulababy · 11/05/2007 08:25

It is legal, but not ideal. If you must and cannot easily deactivted your air bag (ours can be turned on and off with a key switch) then you should move the car seat to its furthest back position.

If this will be an ongoing problem then it is better to have the air bag deactivated completely. Although that may invalidate any warantees, etc. they have on their car.

twentypence · 11/05/2007 08:29

So what has she got for the new baby then?

I wish we had the same law in NZ as Australia - I see 5 years olds in the front all the time (and most of the 4 year olds at ds's kindy on little half boosters).

JodieG1 · 11/05/2007 08:29

No it's not ok. Funnily I was just reading an article about this in an old copy of the New Scientist and children who were in accidents in the front seat with an airbag are 14 times more likely to experience tinnitis and respiratory problems as those in the back. Iirc it's a 170 decibel bang when it's deployed and the pressure is quite a lot when you're so close to it.

Original poster
Ponka · 11/05/2007 08:36

Hmmm. I'll mention the waranty thing to them. Hadn't thought about that. I think they've had the car for so long now though that it probably isn't under waranty any more. If only their airbag could be turned off with a key.

It might be hard to put the seat to it's furthest back position with a rear facing seat right behind it.

It looks like a speedy de-activation is needed.

OP posts:
bloss · 11/05/2007 10:47

Message withdrawn

eachpeachnallyplum · 11/05/2007 11:43

it's ok for a 10 year old to go in the front isn't it? one of my mindees is almost 11 and big enough that he doesn't need a booster seat, so i usually sit him in the front with me.

ChocolateFace · 11/05/2007 12:13

I understood that it was OK from the age of 11.

JodieG1 · 11/05/2007 14:28

The report I read I think it just said children but I'll have a look after.

Swipe left for the next trending thread