2004 Mazda RX-8 Owner's Manual - Page 39

J60E_8R65-EA-03C_Edition2.book Page 28 Saturday, April 26, 2003 1:48 PM Essential Safety Equipment SRS Air Bags Children should be protected by a child-restraint system. Laws vary on the size a child must be to use a child-restraint system (page 2-17). Carefully consider which child-restraint system is necessary for your child and follow the installation directions in this Owner's Manual as well as the child-restraint system manufacturer's instructions. 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. A sleeping child is more likely to lean against the door and be hit by the side air bag in a moderate, rightside collision. Whenever possible, always secure a child 12 years and under on the rear seat 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. NEVER use a rear-facing child-restraint system in the front seat with an air bag that could deploy. Deploying air bag Seating Position with Front Air Bags: Sitting too close to the air bag storage compartments 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. 2-28 Form No. 8R65-EA-03C