2008 Saab 9-3 Owner's Manual - Page 25

93_US_M08.book Page 25 Friday, May 11, 2007 11:37 AM Safety General information on child safety The same attention must be given to child safety in the car as is given to adults. Children travel most safely when properly restrained. However, the type of restraint must be appropriate for the size of the child. We recommend that you always consult your Saab dealer before fitting a child seat, child restraint or booster cushion. The backseat is the safest place for children. Make sure you are acquainted with the legal requirements for seating children in the car. When fitting child restraints in cars you must always read the instructions supplied by the child restraint manufacturer. Make sure that it is possible to fit a child restraint in accordance with the manufacturer's child restraint instructions. Saab recommends the use of a rear-facing child seat for as long as this is possible - for all children under 18 kg (40 lbs.) as a minimum. Use a child seat approved for the weight of the child. Saab recommends the use of a booster seat for children up to the length of 140 cm (55 in.) or the weight of 36 kg (80 lbs.). 25 LATCH LATCH (Lower Anchorages & Top tethers for CHildren) is a US/Canadian safety standard for a uniform method of fitting child restraints without using the standard safety belts. Only certain child restraints are equipped to utilize the LATCH system. The LATCH system is installed in the car to facilitate proper fitting of child restraints designed for and equipped with LATCH attachments. The LATCH system consists of top tether and lower anchorages. In this vehicle, LATCH is installed at the two outboard seating positions in the rear seat, and there is a top tether on the rear center position (not Convertible). The top tethers are located on top of the parcel shelf (SportSedan), see page 28, on the back of the rear seat (SportCombi), see page 29 and behind the head restraints (Convertible) see page 30. The lower anchorages are located where the seat cushion and seat back come together. There is a label above the anchorages, see picture on next page. Label consists of a symbol of a child restrained in a seat inside a circle. When fitting child restraints in cars you must always read the instructions supplied by the child restraint manufacturer. If you have any questions regarding LATCH please contact your Saab dealer. WARNING If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to its anchor points, the restraint will not be able to protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly installed using the anchor points, or use the vehicle's safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. WARNING Child top tether anchorages are designed to withstand only those loads imposed by correctly fitted child restraints. Under no circumstances are they to be used for adult safety belts.