Safe Transportation of Infants

Types of Child Restraint Systems

Infants up to one year old should be transported in special rear-facing child seats or infant carriers suited to the infant's weight and height.

Only rear-facing child restraints provide proper protection for an infant's head, neck, and back.

Two types of child restraint systems are permitted: infant-only restraint systems or convertible rear-facing child restraints.

A list of child restraint systems recommended for use in European countries is provided on page 47.

Never turn a rear-facing child restraint to face forward. In this position, the child may be seriously injured in a frontal collision.

Installing Rear-Facing Child Restraints

A special rear-facing child restraint may be installed in any rear seat position, but not in the front passenger seat. Never install a rear-facing child seat or infant carrier in the front passenger seat.

A list of child restraint systems recommended for use in European countries that can be installed in any rear seat position and are rear-facing is provided on page 47.

In a collision, the inflating airbag will strike the infant seat or child restraint with great force and may suddenly displace this protective device, which can result in very serious injury or even death of the child.

A properly installed rear-facing child restraint may prevent the driver and front passenger from moving their seats as far back as recommended or from locking the seats in the desired position.

In such cases, it is recommended to place the child seat or infant carrier in the rear seat directly behind the front passenger seat, which should be moved as far forward as possible and left unoccupied.

A possible alternative is to purchase a smaller child restraint.

WARNING

Never install a rear-facing child seat or infant carrier in the front passenger seat. In a crash, the rapidly inflating airbag may kill or seriously injure the child.

Always place a rear-facing infant carrier in the rear seat, not the front seat.

In accordance with the requirements of ECE Regulation No. 94:

WARNING

DO NOT install a child restraint in which the child faces rearward on the front passenger seat.

FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH OF THE CHILD.

In a collision, the inflating airbag will strike the child seat with great force. The airbag may suddenly push the child seat or strike the child, which can cause very serious injury or death.