1997 Mercury Mountaineer Owner's Manual - Page 75

Seating and safety restraints Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from injury in a collision. Always follow the instructions and warnings that come with any infant or child restraint you might use. If possible, place children in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident statistics suggest children are safer when properly restrained in rear seating positions than in the front seating positions. CHILDREN AND SAFETY BELTS Children who are too large for child safety seats (as specified by the manufacturer of your child safety seat) should always wear their safety belts. Follow all the important safety restraint and air bag precautions that apply to adult passengers in your vehicle. If the shoulder belt portion of a combination lap and shoulder belt can be positioned so it does not cross or rest in front of the child's face or neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle may help to provide a good shoulder belt fit. If the shoulder belt cannot be properly positioned: • Move the child to a seat with a lap belt only. 75