Can your baby car seat go in the front seat of your car? Having your rear-facing car seat in the front passenger seat is illegal especially if the airbag is active. When your airbag is activated it comes out at a high speed that can hit the back of your child’s rear-facing car seat which can result in serious injury.
If your child needs to be in the front seat, be sure to follow these steps for their safety.
- Deactivate your airbag
- Push the passenger seat as far as you can.
- Make sure your child is properly strapped.
- Ensure that they cannot stand up and cause any distraction while you are driving.
It is not illegal to have your forward-facing car seat in the front passenger seat without turning off the airbag. But keep in mind that not all vehicle can cater to this. Seatbelts from other car can’t accommodate a forward-facing car seat. So be sure to check with the manufacturer’s manual.
Placing Your Car Seat in the Front Seat
Airbags are designed by car manufacturers to protect an adult that is at least 5 feet tall with 150 pounds in weight. And even if your child is buckled properly in the front seat, they can still get injured. This is due to the airbag deployment.
Why is it unsafe in the front seat
Airbags deploy at a really high speed in case of collision. An airbag can be activated and deployed at a speed of 200mph. This can cause serious injuries to a toddler or younger children. If your child is in the front seat before the appropriate height and weight, there is a big risk of injury during an accident. Once your child is no longer using the booster, they can safely sit in the front seat. They still need to use the cat seat belt properly, and they should fit properly. If your child is 12 years old and above, and they want to sit in the passenger front seat, you can allow them and protect them from injuries by taking some precautionary steps.
How to Make Your Front Seat Safe
You can move the seat as far as possible to the dashboard where the airbag would be activated.
Require them to always wear their seat belt properly. Your child should wear their seat belt with their back resting on the seat, so they are positioned far away from the dashboard. The lap belt should be across their lap and not on their stomach the should belt should go across their should chest not their neck.
Even if your child is 12 years old and above and weighs more than 150 pounds, if they are under 5 feet, make sure to use a booster seat. The car seat. the belt may not properly fit them with their height.
Some states are strict when it comes to your child sitting in the front seat or not using the proper car seat. They can write you tickets for not following the law.
Contrary to popular beliefs and opinion, the front seat is still a safe place for your child, as long as the airbags are turned off or deactivated through a switch or key. We are not comfortable trusting the deactivation sensor unless it’s a Mercedes car. Can you trust an airbag deactivation using a switch or key? Of course! Most of the finest and most luxurious car manufacturers have been doing this for many years, and they’ve done it perfectly and safely!
How Can Front Seat Be Safe For a Car Seat?
Optimize your front seat. Cars are designed for maximum safety. Whether you are in the front seat or back seat. Make sure that the one sitting in your front seat can use and optimize the seat belt and other safety features.
Leg space for the child. It’s a common misconception that you need to have a lot of leg space to be comfortable. But for a child it’s different. They can bend and fold their legs, and they’ll still be comfortable.
Fewer distractions. Having your child in the back seat will lessen the distractions while you are driving. But having your children or baby in the front seat can provide a safer and calmer feeling. You can communicate better. And you are always sure that they are safe since you can see them from your side.
Conclusion
Earlier research has shown that front seats are a great place for a child to ride when riding in a car. Brands such as Volvo have stated that the front seat is just as safe for car seats as the rear seat and is designed to provide ample headroom so that children don’t hit their heads on the ceiling.
Remember to turn off or deactivate your airbag using a key, switch, or professional help or bring it to your car manufacturer/dealer when using the front seat with a rear-facing car seat.
