2004 Dodge Stratus Owner's Manual - Page 40

40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE Airbag Light You will want to have the airbags ready for your protection in an impact. While the airbag system is designed to be maintenance free, if any of the following occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system promptly: • The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first turned on. • The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second interval. • The light flickers or comes on and remains on while driving. Child Restraint Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the time, babies and children, too. Every state in the United States and all Canadian provinces require that small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it. Children 12 years and under should ride properly buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seats rather than in the front. WARNING! In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby, can become a missile inside the vehicle. The force required to hold even an infant on your lap could become so great that you could not hold the child, no matter how strong you are. The child and others could be badly injured. Any child riding in your vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child's size. There are different sizes and types of restraints for children from newborn size to the child almost large enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child seat Owner's Manual to ensure you have the right seat for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your child: