Subaru Forester Manuals 2018 Forester Owner's Manual | Page 49

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Seatbelts properly restrained at all times. The SRS airbag deploys with considerable speed and force and can injure or even kill chil- dren, especially if they are not restrained or improperly re- strained. Because children are lighter and weaker than adults, their risk of being injured from deployment is greater. For that reason, we strongly recommend that ALL children (including those in child seats and those that have outgrown child re- straint devices) sit in the REAR seat properly restrained at all times in a child restraint device or in a seatbelt, whichever is appropriate for the child’s height and weight. Secure ALL types of child re- straint devices (including for- ward facing child seats) in the REAR seats at all times. NEVER INSTALL A FORWARD OR REARWARD FACING CHILD SEAT IN THE FRONT SEAT. DOING SO RISKS SERIOUS IN- JURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD BY PLACING THE CHILD’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO THE SRS AIR- BAG. According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seat- ing positions. For instructions and precautions concerning the child restraint system, refer to “Child restraint systems” F1-30. ! Infants or small children Use a child restraint system that is suitable for your vehicle. Refer to “Child restraint systems” F1-30. ! Children If a child is too big for a child restraint system, the child should sit in the rear seat and be restrained using the seatbelts. According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positions. Never allow a child to stand up or kneel on the seat. If the shoulder portion of the belt crosses the face or neck, move the child closer to the belt buckle to help provide a good shoulder belt fit. Care must be taken to securely place the lap belt as low as possible on the hips and not on the child’s waist. If the shoulder portion of the belt cannot be properly positioned, a child restraint system should be used. Never 1-17 place the shoulder belt under the child’s arm or behind the child’s back. ! Expectant mothers Expectant mothers also need to use the seatbelts. They should consult their doctor for specific recommendations. The lap belt should be worn securely and as low as possible over the hips, not over the waist. & Emergency Locking Retrac- tor (ELR) The driver’s seatbelt has an Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR). The emergency locking retractor allows normal body movement but the retractor locks automatically during a sudden stop, impact or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor. – CONTINUED –