1996 Ford Explorer Owner's Manual - Page 57

Safety Restraints Safety Seats for Children Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight of the child. Always follow the safety seat manufacturer's instructions when installing and using a safety seat. When possible, put children in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positions. Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position which is capable of providing a tether anchorage. For more information on top tether straps see your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. When installing a child safety seat, be sure to use the correct safety belt buckle for that seating position, and make sure the tongue is securely fastened in the buckle. Children weighing less than 40 lb. (18 kg) should use child or infant seats. Forward facing child seats must have the passenger seat moved as far back from the instrument panel as possible. RWARNING REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS SHOULD NEVER BE PLACED IN THE FRONT SEAT. REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS MUST ALWAYS BE PLACED IN THE REAR SEAT. Failure to follow these instructions could result in serious injury. All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or by the lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt. 55