Seat belts and children

Infants and Small Children

All 50 states have child restraint laws that require children to travel in approved child restraints, including boosters. The age at which seat belts may be used instead of child restraints varies by state, so you should know the specific requirements in your state and where you are traveling. Infant and child restraints must be properly installed and secured in the rear seat. For more information, see "Child Restraint Systems" in this chapter.

WARNING

ALWAYS properly secure infants and small children in child restraints that match the child's height and weight.

To reduce the risk of serious injury or death to the child and other passengers, NEVER hold a child on your lap or in your arms while the vehicle is moving. The violent forces generated in a crash will tear the child from your arms and throw the child around the vehicle interior.

Small children are best protected from injury in an accident when properly secured in the rear seat by a child restraint system that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Before purchasing any child restraint system, make sure it has a label confirming that it meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 213. The restraint must match your child's height and weight. Check the label on the child restraint for this information. Refer to the "Child Restraint Systems" section in this chapter.

Older children

Children under 13 years old and older than the booster seat size should always sit in the rear seat and use the lap/shoulder belt provided. The lap belt should lie across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt should be snug across the shoulder and chest to hold the child securely. Check the belt fit periodically. Children are provided maximum protection in a crash when they are restrained by a proper restraint system and/or seat belts in the rear seat. Always have the LATCH system checked by your authorized HYUNDAI dealer after a collision. A crash may damage the LATCH system and it may not secure the child restraint properly.

If a larger child over 13 years old must sit in the front seat, the child must be securely restrained by the available lap/shoulder belt, and the seat must be moved to the furthest rearward position.

If the shoulder belt portion touches the child's neck or face, try seating the child closer to the center of the vehicle. If the shoulder belt still touches their face or neck, they should return to an appropriate booster position in the rear seat.

WARNING

• Always make sure children are wearing their seat belts and that they are properly adjusted before traveling.
• NEVER allow the shoulder belt to touch the child's neck or face.
• Do not allow more than one child to use a single seat belt.

Transporting an injured person

The seat belt should be used when transporting an injured person. Consult a physician for specific recommendations.

One person per belt

Two persons (including children) should never attempt to use one seat belt. This may increase the severity of injury in a crash.

Do not recline

Sitting in a reclined position while the vehicle is moving can be dangerous. Even when belted, the protection of the restraint system (seat belts and airbags) is significantly reduced when the seatback is reclined.

To reduce the likelihood of injury in a crash and to achieve maximum restraint system effectiveness, all occupants should sit upright, and front and rear seats should be in the upright position while the vehicle is moving.

A seat belt cannot provide proper protection if a person is lying down in the rear seat or if the front or rear seat is in a reclined position.

WARNING

• NEVER drive with the seatback reclined while the vehicle is moving.
• Driving with the seatback reclined increases your chance of serious or fatal injury in the event of a collision or sudden stop.
• Drivers and passengers should always sit properly in their seats, with the seat belt correctly fastened and the seatbacks in the upright position.