Subaru 2004 Forester X - Manual (Page 40)

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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
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ter.
Infants or small children
Use a child restraint system that is suitable for your ve-
hicle. See information on “Child restraint systems” in
this chapter.
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 po-
sitions 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, adjust the shoulder belt anchor height (window-
side seating positions only) and then if necessary
move the child closer to the belt buckle to help provide
a good shoulder belt fit. Care must be taken to secure-
ly 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 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 recom-
mendations. The lap belt should be worn securely and
as low as possible over the hips, not over the waist.
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
The driver’s seatbelt has an Emergency Locking Re-
tractor (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 quick-
ly out of the retractor.
HS1107AA