Children and Airbags

There is considerable debate whether air bags protect or harm children.  While they clearly cushion adult drivers from a crash's impact, they are not always safe for young passengers. 

Airbag Dangers
Studies indicate that more people are killed in vehicles without air bags than those with them.  During a crash, air bags inflate rapidly and with great force, cushioning passengers in the opposite direction of impact.  Unfortunately, anyone too close to the dashboard risks severe injury or death.  An unrestrained child thrown forward by emergency braking, for example, also receives a powerful blow from airbag deployment.  The forces are enough to inflict significant injury or death.  

Infants and children in rear-facing car seats are at high risk for injury.  The impact of an inflating air bag can be deadly. The child is forcefully propelled into their seat. In fact, studies show that of all children killed by air bags that inflate, 27% were secured in rear-facing car seats.  This type of car seat should never be placed in the passenger seat if your car has air bags.

When children are properly restrained with seatbelts, the risk of fatalities is significantly reduced, but air bag-related injuries are still possible.  Roughly 3.5% of belted children fracture bones as a result of an airbag.  Abrasions to the face and chest are also common.  One out of seven children sustains a significant injury from airbag deployment, according to Partners for Child Passenger Safety research. 

Keeping Safe With Airbags
While it is clear that airbags can be hazardous to children, a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that use of proper restraints makes all the difference. A child seated in the upright position with a shoulder/lap belt, and as far away from the dashboard as possible, is in the safest position for a young passenger.  This seating minimizes the risk of injury from airbag deployment. 

It is critical for parents and caregivers to monitor their child's seating position. It may be difficult to safely seat young children in the front of the car due to their small size.  For this reason, it is recommended that children under 13 always sit in the rear.  Rear seats provide good restraint without the risk of airbag injury.

Changes in air bag design will also reduce hazards to children.  Car manufacturers are developing 'smart' air bags.  These devices monitor seat belt use, passenger size and proximity, and tailor the rate and force of deployment. 

Until improved technology becomes available, however, the best protection for your child is either to use a correctly positioned seat belt or to make your child sit in the backseat.  In this way, air bags may serve their original purpose: keeping passengers safe.