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CHILDREN AND AIR BAG SAFETY

From: Insurance Journal/West - December 9, 1996

LIFESAVERS, DANGEROUS DEVISES OR MEDIA HYPE?

Recent incidents involving the development of air bags and children’s safety have raised questions across the country regarding the effectiveness of air bags. The incidents have garnered so much attention that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has raised concerns involving children’s deaths and air bags and the government has proposed letting drivers disconnect air bags.

What has not been addressed by the media is the need for proper education regarding the use of seat belts and air bags." said Debbie Anderson, Director of Research for the Foundation For Issues Research and Management (FIRM). "It needs to be pointed out that many of the deaths involving young children were the result of improper seat belt usage or no seat belt usage at all."

According to reviews done by the FIRM involving the handfull of deaths reported by NHTSA, many occurred when the child, during pre-accident braking, was thrown against the dashboard seconds before impact and air bag deployment.

Over the last decade there [have] literally been tens of thousands of accidents that could have cost society many lives if not for the introduction of the air bag.", Anderson added.

Recommendations:

Use common sense. We know air bags save lives and the safest spot in a car is in the rear seat. To best protect your child, they should be properly secured in a (appropriately sized) car seat, which is fastened in the rear seat. Further evidence shows that securing the car-seat to the middle position (if proper belts or other securing devices are available) will greatly increase the safety factor. Further - all children under the age of 12 should be properly belted in the rear seat for maximum safety.