2004 Mazda MPV Owner's Manual - Page 66

Essential Safety Equipment SRS Air Bags WARNING Air Bags without Seat Belts: Depending only on the air bags for protection during an accident is dangerous. Alone, air bags may not prevent serious injuries. The appropriate air bags can be expected to inflate only in collisions with frontal, near frontal or side forces that are at least moderate. Vehicle occupants should always wear seat belts. Child in the Front Seat: Placing a child, 12 years or under, in the front seat is dangerous. The child could be hit by a deploying air bag and be seriously injured or even killed. Even if the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, always move the front passenger seat as far back as possible. A sleeping child is more likely to lean against the door and be hit by the side air bag in a moderate, right-side collision. Whenever possible, always secure a child 12 years and under on the rear seats with an appropriate child-restraint system for the child's age and size. Rear-Facing Child-Restraint System: Rear-facing child-restraint systems on the front seat are particularly dangerous. The child-restraint system can be hit by a deploying air bag and moved violently backward resulting in serious injury or death to the child. Even though you may feel assured that the front passenger air bag will not deploy based on the fact that the front passenger air bag deactivation indicator light illuminates, NEVER use a rear-facing child-restraint system in the front seat with an air bag that could deploy even in a moderate collision. Deploying air bag Seating Position with Front Air Bags: Sitting too close to the air bag modules or placing hands or feet on them is extremely dangerous. Front air bags inflate with great force and speed. Serious injuries could occur if someone is too close. The driver should always hold onto only the rim of the steering wheel. The front seat passenger should keep both feet on the floor. Front seat occupants should adjust their seats as far back as possible and always sit upright against the seatbacks with seat belts worn properly. 2-57