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Original poster

When is it OK to put a baby/child in the front passenger seat?

16 replies

tassisssss · 11/09/2007 19:34

Haven't done this before but seem to be transporting 4 kids from time to time atm and wondered what the MN consensus was.

OP posts:
NAB3 · 11/09/2007 19:38

You should be more concerned with what the law says than people on here.

Original poster
tassisssss · 11/09/2007 19:39

and the law says??

OP posts:
NAB3 · 11/09/2007 19:40

I don't know as mine are still small. Sorry.

Hulababy · 11/09/2007 19:41

Legally, from day one I believe.

Original poster
tassisssss · 11/09/2007 19:43

I didn't think there was an issue with the law. What's the deal with airbags? Off when they're little, but at what age do you put them on? Are they safer in the front when rear facing than when they're turned around? Anyone know?

OP posts:
Hulababy · 11/09/2007 19:44

The Law

Children up to 3 years old

In the Front Seat: The child MUST use the correct child restraint. It is illegal to carry a child in a rear-facing child seat in the front, which is protected by an active frontal airbag.

Children aged 3 and above, (until they reach EITHER their 12th birthday OR 135cm in height)

In the Front Seat: The child MUST use the correct child restraint.

lapsedrunner · 11/09/2007 19:44

Purely to do with airbags as far as I know

Hulababy · 11/09/2007 19:45

Not recommended to use airbags with under 12s I think. Between 3-12, if you must use a seat with an airbag - preferably don't - then front seat should be as far back as possible.

lapsedrunner · 11/09/2007 19:46

i.e. as long as you don't have an airbag AND you have the correct seat for their age then front seat is OK.

Original poster
tassisssss · 11/09/2007 19:48

thanks all!

Hulababy's 19.44 post implies that the airbag thing is only an issue while child is rear facing?

OP posts:
Seona1973 · 11/09/2007 19:59

I have found more info about children and airbags (on the same website)

Child Passengers

  • Always ensure that your child is in an appropriate child restraint that is suitable for the car and seat on which it is being used, and that it is securely fitted.

  • Make sure the child is securely held by the child seat harness or seat belt.

  • Make sure that children travel in the rear of the car, if possible - it is safer.

  • Never put a rearward-facing baby seat in the front if there is a passenger airbag.

  • Do not put a forward-facing child seat in the front, unless there is no other choice. In this case, make sure the car seat is as far back as possible, the child seat is securely fitted and the child is securely held by the seat belt or child seat harness, keeping the child as far as possible from the dashboard. Ask the vehicle manufacturer how far the airbag comes out as it deploys and whether it is safe to use a child seat.

  • If there are side airbags, make sure that the child restraint does not rest against the door, that the child sits properly in the seat and does not lean close to, or against, the door or window. Ask the vehicle manufacturer how far the airbag comes out as it deploys and whether it is safe to use a child seat in the front.

  • If there are other types of airbag in the car, ask the vehicle manufacturer how far they come out as they deploy and whether it is safe to use a child seat near the airbag.

NannyL · 11/09/2007 20:24

ultimatley an airbag can kill or injur a forward facing child in a child restraint, so although it is not illegal to put a child over 9kg in a forward facing seat fitted with an airbag in the front, bear in mind that in the event of a crash you could kill them

deaconblue · 11/09/2007 20:51

Don't want to scare but a close friend's sister was killed in a road accident glancing at her crying baby in front seat. Baby survived but badly brain damaged. She begs friends to not put babies in front at all. I don't even have one of those mirrors to check ds in back seat for same reason

NannyL · 11/09/2007 21:01

shoppingbagsundereyes that is awful... Really tragic

But what i dont get is that if she died then how do they know she was looking at the baby and didnt just loose control of the car?

Sorry if it seems like a heartless question, but it just seems like a tricky thing to be able to know that was what happened.

NAB3 · 12/09/2007 18:08

I was wondering that too, NannyL but assumed someone else must have been in the car who could say this. Very sad.

deaconblue · 13/09/2007 11:22

I never asked, it was at a crossing so I assumed a witness on the pavement saw. Really made me think twice about putting ds in the front though. I totally ignore him when we are driving and it's paid off, he is a really good passenger - either chills out and watches the world go by or sleeps, almost never cries or whinges (shame the rest of the time isn't like that!)

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