1996 Mercury Tracer Owner's Manual - Page 50

RWARNING Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that has been closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a small child. Check seat covers and buckles before you place a child anywhere near them. 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 the safety seat. 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 Attaching Safety Seats With Tether Straps in this chapter. 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. In rear-facing infant seats, the infant's head is closer to the passenger air bag. The force of the rapidly inflating air bag could push the top of the rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback. REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS MUST ALWAYS BE SECURED IN THE REAR SEAT, and other child seats and infant seats should be secured in the rear seat whenever possible. Forward-facing child seats used in the front seat must have the passenger seat moved as far back from the instrument panel as possible. 47