My friend has got a 2 1/2 yr old boy, and she now has him sat in the front passenger seat (in a car seat, obviously). The car seat is forward-facing, but she has turned the passenger airbag off. Is this only to be done if the seat is rear-facing, or should the airbag be deactivated whenever a child is sat in a car seat on the front passenger seat?

If a child is a child seat, forward or rearward facing, the airbag should be deactivated.

ok, thanks for your reply.

I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing but ......

Since my son is nearly 7 and he sits on a booster in the front seat, I leave the airbag switched on. His seat is right back and given the choice I would rather he had the protection of the airbag. Yes if he was in a child seat that meant he was further forward I would turn the airbag off. But as he sits now he is no nearer to the dash than me. Thoughts?

As long as he's not close up against it...I think I would leave it on in your situation, but, maybe better to contact the dealer/mini and see what they recommend

I'm not sure on boosters, I would guess you're doing it right in that case but I'd probably check. Rakey on here may well know the professional line, but I'd get it checked. The child seat reason is because it puts the child in completely the wrong position for the airbag. I imagine a booster probably helps put them in the RIGHT position. But again, I don't know for sure and I'd want to check it out with the professionals.

The law regarding child car seats can be found here (http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/law/index.htm#kids1213) on the RoSPA website.

No mention of airbags on the Rospa site. I have no choice when anyone of my three little darlings travels with me but to put them in the front, i have a GP, and if they are on boosters i leave the airbag on and if the little princess is in her seat i turn off the airbag. Have to admit i would like to know if this is correct, as no airbag would save me from the war dept if i damaged her offspring!!

Child Car Seats : Frequently Asked Questions (http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/faqs/index.htm#front)

babyworld - shop - car seat guide (http://www.babyworld.co.uk/shop/howtochoose/carseatguide/typesofcarseat.asp)

They said for forward facing to have the airbag off, or move the seat back far enough that the airbag wont reach. Not sure on where they get their advice from either though!

I would always turn off the airbag if a child is in the front seat unless they are over 5 feet tall and over 100 lbs. The airbag detonation force is considerable and even with the seat all the way back this may not be completely safe.

Even when I had a car without airbags, my daughter didn't ride in the front seat until she was almost as tall as I was.

I haven't heard of a child with front seat airbag injuries in our hospital yet, but I'd really prefer not to.