Airbags and Children!!!

[micko Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close micko]

Hi
Just wondering if anyone owns a grande with small children or babies???
Am in the process of purchasing one and havent put much thought into the rear seat airbags.. is this dangerous for children in babie seats

:?:

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: Airbags and Children!!!

Just wondering if anyone owns a grande with small children or babies???
Am in the process of purchasing one and havent put much thought into the rear seat airbags.. is this dangerous for children in babie seats

I don't have a Grande, but do have a GXL with the full side curtain airbag option. Yes - airbags can be dangerous to small children, especially if their heads are too close to the devices when they are deployed (they are an explosive device afterall). So long as the children are kept properly restrained (ie in a proper car seat or have an appropriate level of restraint for the age/size of the child) then the risks are reduced as much as you can.

But it must be remembered that airbags are designed to operate during a serious collision. Therefore, the way I figure it, the potential injury caused by the deployment of the airbags is much less than the risk of serious injury caused by the actual crash!

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Airbags and Children!!!

If you restrain children according to to the relevant standards (which take all this into account) then they are in the best position. The alternative could well be FAR more serious. If you are a situation where the aibags have to deploy then I think you'd be thankful.

[micko Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close micko]

Re: Airbags and Children!!!

Ok ,, thanks for the info.. I was thinking maybe the babie seat, still a rear facing might be better in the middle?

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: Airbags and Children!!!

I was thinking maybe the babie seat, still a rear facing might be better in the middle?

Always.

[tileys Member Find all posts View Profile Close tileys]

Re: Airbags and Children!!!

Those capsules that face backwards when professionally setup (i.e. nice and tightly restrained and level) are about the safest way to travel in a car - I've heard of a few instances of the occupant of the capsule being the only uninjured party (even survivor) of a crash. They are only for kids up to 9kg though and once infants can support their own head easily they are often turned to face the front.

We have the side curtain bags but to be honest I haven't thought too much about them. I'm always rousing on the older kids though to stay upright and to keep any belts in their proper place e.g. not to slip their shoulder out the side or to lean over each other too much (or sleep with their head up near the window).

For more general info the first google hit I got was:

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing/airbags.htm

Which has some good commonsense advice about ensuring your child in their seat is not right up against the side of the car.

[Smooove Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Smooove]

Re: Airbags and Children!!!

I have three kids under four years of age. KidOne (4yo) is on the drivers side. KidTwo (2yo) is on the passenger side, and KidThree (7mo) is in the rear-facing kids capsule in the middle. All very safe with their safety seats.

I too looked into the airbags and kids issue, and so long as you have good head support and walls on the kids safety seats, and good harness style straps, it minimises the risk of airbag injuries. Also look for seats that have the anti-submarine strap on them (its hooks onto the seatbelt between their legs; stops the kids sliding under the seatbelt in an accident or sudden braking).