Kids in front car seats - When and what to be careful about?

Quite popularly, airbags have saved hundreds of lives of adults. At one point, however, they may not be as effective about protecting children when they get to occupy the front seat.

Because of this, car owners are advised that children who are 13 years of age and under should never be allowed to occupy the front seat, instead, they will take the backseat in order to keep them safe whenever accidents take place, also buckles are necessary.

Read on this article from Philkotse.com to further understand when can children sit in the front seat of the car.

1. Hazards for children who occupy the front seat

Airbags exist for a reason. Manufacturer’s designed them in order to protect adults who are 5 ft. tall and above with approximately 150 lbs. weight. Despite wearing seat belts properly, if a child sits in the front seat, he or she is most likely to suffer injuries out of the airbags than older passengers.

This is because airbags set out rapidly (50 milliseconds). Given this rate, a certain airbag can set out at 200 mi/hr speed. Having the force so concentrated in it, it can cause injuries to a younger and gentler child than older people.

KIds occupying the front seat and are smaller than the ideal size are susceptible to injuries especially in the head

Children who get to occupy the front seat and are smaller than the ideal size are susceptible to injuries, especially in the head. This is due to the fact that the airbag’s impact is extremely forceful that it could lift someone of a smaller size off from where they are seated and in some cases smack their heads on the vehicle’s top.

The safest space for children to occupy after their car seat’s progress is in the back seat’s center. Just see to it that a seat belt is secured for use in that particular spot. There are children who are 13 years of age and want to occupy the front seat.

>>> Read more: A step-by-step guide to install different car seats for children.

2. Steps to protect your children when they're on front seats

Step 1.

Have the front seats moved as far as it could go from the point at which car airbags would usually deploy? It is a very common knowledge that crashes usually affect the vehicle’s front. Following this advice will help your children avoid destructive impact brought by airbags.

Have the front seats moved as far as it could go from the point at which airbags would usually deploy?

Step 2.

Always see to it that your child is wearing a seat belt.

Always see to it that your child is wearing a seat belt

>>> Check out: Complete guide to adjust car seat belts.

Step 3. 

When making them wear a seat belt, make sure that their back is resting on the seat so that they are away from the car’s dashboard.

Be sure to place the seat belt on its right position on the child’s body, the ideal placement should be across the upper part of the chest. Meanwhile, lap belts should go across your lap and never across the child’s stomach.

Step 4.

Regardless if a certain child’s weight goes over a hundred fifty pounds, some booster seat should be necessary if their height is under four ft. and nine inches. With this height, seat belts may not be able to fit properly.

Some booster seat should be necessary if their height is under four ft. and nine inches

Some countries crafted a law regarding children occupying the front seat. A ticket can be issued by policemen if parents are not abiding by the law.

3. Stages of life and safety tips

From birth to 2 years

For as much as possible, they should only ride cars with rear-facing seats 'till they reach the required above weight limit (40 lbs or more). The rear-facing seat cushions the sensitive neck of the child and his delicate spinal cord.

If you have an infant carrier for a start, shift to a convertible one when they are already big enough for it, but you should keep the rear-facing one.

Children 0-2 years old should only ride cars with rear-facing seats

2 to 8 years old above

As much as possible, they should only ride cars with seats that are forward-facing until they reach the upper height and weight limits for their car seats. This one should be available online.

Should a collision take place, this type of seat protects little children against the frontward movement. Weight, as well as the height limit, should be listed on the seat. Often the maximum limit for weight is between forty and sixty-five pounds.

>>> Super important: Driving with kids in the car: 10 essential safety tips to follow.

8 to 12 years old above

When a forward-facing seat can no longer accommodate a child, you can now opt for seats that can boost belt-position. This type of seat will do a great job in helping the child find the safest sitting angle as well as the height in order to protect them from injuries during car accidents.

Until they reach at least 4 ft. and 9 inches tall, the children will have to keep occupying the booster seat

Until they reach at least 4 ft. and 9 inches tall, the children will have to keep occupying the booster seat. This is very crucial since booster seats ensure children's safety by having the seat belts fit on the body’s strongest parts so that they will be less prone to injury in cases of car accidents.

Thirteen years above

Front seats can be occupied by teenagers, but they should always be required to wear seat belts. That is very important. All car seat stages respond to the need of the children to be positioned properly in a safe angle in order to prevent injuries in car crashes.

4. Bottom line

When children are allowed to sit in the front seat of the car, it is highly possible that even small impact crashes could cost them their physical health, especially if they don’t surpass the required height and weight to endure the strength of airbags.

It is very crucial for parents to observe the rules for safety all the time. A lot of local departments and community organizations offer installation of car seats. Have time to avail their service.