1998 Honda Civic Owner's Manual - Page 24

Protecting Children If A Child Requires Close Attention Many parents say they prefer to put an infant or small child in the front passenger seat so they can watch the child, or because the child requires attention. Placing a child in the front seat exposes them to hazards from the airbag, and paying close attention to a child distracts the driver from the important tasks of driving, creating serious safety risks. If a child requires physical attention or frequent visual contact, we strongly recommend that another adult ride with the child in the back seat. The back seat is far safer for a child than the front. Additional Safety Precaution Do not leave children alone in your vehicle. Leaving children without adult supervision is illegal in most states and can be very hazardous. For example, infants and small children left in a vehicle on a hot day can die from heatstroke. And children left alone with the key in the ignition can accidentally set the vehicle in motion, possibly injuring themselves or others. Driver and Passenger Safety