Air Bag Tips Can Prevent Injuries

Q:  So much has been written and reported about air bags. We are considering the purchase of a new car and are not so sure they are as beneficial as we once thought. What advice can you give on air bag safety, especially when transporting small children?

A:  The American Academy of Family Physicians sent information to all family doctors regarding the safety of air bags and how best to take advantage of the benefits offered and reduce or eliminate most if not all of the risks. We also must remember that despite some of the terrible traffic deaths of small children, air bags have saved the lives of thousands of Americans.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board recommend:

• Children under the age of 12 should always ride buckled in the back seat.

• Infants in rear-facing, child-safety seats should never ride in the front seats of a vehicle with a passenger-side air bag.

• Little children and babies should ride in the back seat in child-safety seats that are approved for their age and size.

• Everyone should buckle both shoulder and lap belts on every trip.

• Driver and passenger seats should be moved as far back as possible from the dashboard, especially for people of shorter stature.

• Check your vehicle's owners manual for proper instructions on the use of child safety seats.

• If your main vehicle is a pick-up truck, make sure you can switch off the passenger air bag. If you cannot, do not transport the children until you've worked with your dealer to find a way to safely do so.

An air bag is not a soft billowy pillow, but a device that erupts from its point origin at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. They are also not a substitute for seatbelts. Following these simple suggestions should make family travel safer for everyone.

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