1999 Subaru Forester Owner's Manual - Page 71

3-point type seat belts (Combination lap/shoulder belts) D Never use a belt that is twisted or reversed. In an accident, this can increase the risk or severity of injury. D Never place the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back. If an accident occurs, this can increase the risk or severity of injury. D Keep the lap belt as low as possible on your hips. In a collision, this spreads the force of the lap belt over stronger hip bones instead of across the weaker abdomen. D Seat belts provide maximum restraint when the occupant sits well back and upright in the seat. To reduce the risk of sliding under the seat belt in a collision, the seatbacks should be always used in the upright position while the vehicle is running. If the seatbacks are not used in the upright position in a collision, the risk of sliding under the lap belt and of the lap belt sliding up over the abdomen will increase, and both can result in serious internal injury or death. Especially when the occupant is a child, be sure to position the seatback upright. Children are more likely to slide under the lap belt than adults if the seatback is reclined in a collision. D Do not put cushions or any other materials between occupants and seatbacks or seat cushions. If you do so, the risk of sliding under the lap belt and of the lap belt sliding up over the abdomen will increase, and both can result in serious internal injury or death. D Put children aged 12 and under in the rear seat properly restrained at all times. The SRS AIRBAG deploys with considerable speed and force and can injure or even kill children, especially if they are 12 years of age and under and are not restrained or improperly restrained. Because children are lighter and weaker than adults, their risk of being injured from deployment is greater. WARNING 2-12