2009 Jeep Patriot Owner's Manual - Page 53

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51 Along with the seat belts, front airbags work with the instrument panel knee impact bolsters to provide improved protection for the driver and front passenger. 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 in moderate to severe frontal collisions. If your vehicle is so equipped, the side curtain airbag on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered in moderate to severe side collisions. However, even in collisions where the airbags deploy, you need the seat belts to keep you in the correct 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 younger should ride buckled up in the rear seat. 2. Infants in rear-facing child restraints should NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front airbag. An airbag deployment could cause severe injury or death to infants in that position. 3. Children that are not big enough to wear the vehicle seat belt properly (refer to information on Child Restraint in this section) should be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats. 4. Older children who do not use child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats should ride properly buckled up in the rear seat. Never allow children to slide the shoulder belt behind them or under their arms. 2