2005 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Manual Touring - Page 44

44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE Airbags inflate in moderate to high speed impacts. Along with seat belts, and pretensioners, front airbags work with the instrument panel knee blockers to provide improved protection for the driver and front passenger. Left and right side curtain airbags also work with seat belts to improve occupant protection. The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types of collisions. The front airbags deploy only in moderate to severe frontal collisions. If your vehicle is equipped, the side curtain airbag on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered in moderate to severe side collisions. In certain types of collisions where the airbags deploy, you need the seat belts to keep you in the right position for the airbags to protect you properly. Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the risk of harm from a deploying airbag. 1. Children 12 years old and under should always ride buckled up in a rear seat. Infants in rear facing child restraints should NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front airbag. An airbag deployment can cause severe injury or death to infants in that position. Children that are not big enough to properly wear the vehicle seat belt (refer to section on Child Restraint) should be secured in the rear seat, in a child restraint or belt-positioning booster seat appropriate for the size and age of the child. Older children who do not use a child restraint or belt-positioning booster seat should ride properly buckled up in the rear seat. Never allow children to slide the shoulder belt behind them or under their arm.