1998 Chevrolet Lumina Owner's Manual - Page 43

Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! That includes infants and all children smaller than adult size. Neither the distance traveled nor the and size of the traveler age changes the need, everyone, to use safety restraints. for In fact, the law in every statein the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle. Smaller Children and Babies Children who are up against,or very close to, any air bag whenit inflates can be seriously injured or killed. This is even though your vehicle true has reduced-forcefrontal air bags. Air bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer best protectionfor the adults, but not for young childrenand infants. Neither the vehicle's safety belt system its air nor bag system is designed them. Young children for and infants need the protectionthat a child restraint system can provide. Always secure children properly in your vehicle. Smaller children and babies should always be restrained in a child or infant restraint. The instructions for the restraint will say whether is it the right type and size for your child. A very young child'ship bonesare so small that a regular belt might not stay onthe hips,as it low should. Instead, the belt likely be over will the child's abdomen.In a crash, the belt would apply force right on the child's abdomen, which could cause seriousor fatal injuries. So, be sure that any child small enough one is always properly for restrained ina child or infant restraint. 1Wants need complete support, including supportfor the head and neck.This is necessary because an infant's neck is weak and its head weighs much compared with the so rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing restraint settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part the infant's of body, the back and shoulders. baby should be secured A in an appropriate infant restraint. is so important that This many hospitals today won't release a newborn infant to an its parents unless there is infant restraint available for the baby's fist trip in a motor vehicle. 1-33