1999 Ford Explorer Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 127

Seating and safety restraints Important supplemental restraint system (SRS) precautions The supplemental restraint system is designed to work with the safety belt to help protect the driver and right front passenger from certain upper body injuries. Air bags DO NOT inflate slowly or gently and the risk of injury from a deploying air bag is greatest close to the trim covering the air bag module. All occupants of the vehicle including the driver should always properly wear their safety belts even when air bag SRS is provided. Always transport children 12 years old and under in the back seat and always use appropriate child restraints. NHTSA recommends a minimum distance of at least 25 cm (ten [10] inches) between an occupant's chest and the air bag module. Steps you can take to properly position yourself away from the airbag: • Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedals comfortably. • Recline the seat slightly (one or two degrees) from the upright position. Do not put anything on or over the air bag module. Placing objects on or over the air bag inflation area may cause those objects to be propelled by the air bag into your face and torso causing serious injury. 127