Air bag safety and children

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Air bags can save lives -- there's little doubt about it. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that air bags have saved more than 20,000 lives as of 2006. However, the flip side of air bags is their inherent danger.

Air bags have killed 264 people since the NHTSA began keeping a record of the injuries and deaths associated with these safety devices. Many experts also warn that air bags and young children simply do not mix. Therefore it is important for drivers to know how to safeguard against injuries when there are child passengers onboard.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the NHTSA offer safety guidelines for young passengers. Here are some of their important tips:

* The safest place for all infants and children younger than 13 to ride is in the back seat.

* If an infant must ride in the front it should not be where an air bag is equipped. (Note: It is not recommended that infants ride in the front seat.)

* All children should be properly secured in car safety seats, belt-positioning booster seats, or the shoulder/lap belts correct for their size.

* Side air bags improve safety for adults in side impact crashes, but children who are not properly restrained and are seated near a side air bag may be at risk for serious injury. Check your vehicle owner's manual to see what it says about children and side air bags.

* "Advanced air bags" make travel safer for adults, but it is not yet known how they will impact the safety of children. Even though these new air bags may be safer, the back seat is still the safest place for children younger than 13 to ride.

* Don't travel with more children in the car than can safely be buckled into the back seat.

* Air bag on/off switches should only be used if your pediatrician advises due to a specific health condition.

For more information on air bag safety and child passengers, contact your vehicle manufacturer or the NHTSA. Many fire or police stations will also instruct parents on the proper installation of car seats and booster seats for safety.