HELP ME PLEASE!!! Front Seat with air bags?

**katickles** · 14-01-2008, 08:42 PM

Just a quick one, does anybody know where I stand if I were to use the front passanger seat in my car. Although its only 2 yrs old it didn't come with a key to disable the airbag. Have been in touch with the garage & have been told that they are not allowed to disable them.
I want to know if i am able to use the seat with a front facing carseat otherwise i can probably only fit 2 seats in the back passanger seats.
(I drive a 4WD)

**Chell** · 14-01-2008, 08:44 PM

I phoned Vauxhall to ask if I could have mine disabled, they refused. My Fiat had a key so I could turn them on/off.

**Wiggly** · 14-01-2008, 08:47 PM

I'm not 100% certain but I did think an airbag had to be disabled to have a child's seat in the front.

I'm sure one of the other ladies will know more.

Wiggly
x

**katickles** · 14-01-2008, 08:50 PM

I know that a rear facing one can't be in the front with an active airbag. Can everybody fit just 2 seats in the back?

**Wiggly** · 14-01-2008, 08:52 PM

I have a Zafira and I can only fit two seats in the back and two in the very back.

Wiggly
x

**berkschick** · 14-01-2008, 08:56 PM

I have a voyager and it actually says on the sun visor that a child seat must NOT be fitted to the front passanger seat due to the airbag.

**carolinel** · 14-01-2008, 08:57 PM

I don't think you can have any child seat in the front, whether it's rear facing or not.

**manjay** · 14-01-2008, 09:27 PM

This leaflet you can download shows the current law. Unfortunately it says to refer to your individual car manual for info on child seats in the front with airbags.

http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/ca...ldcarseats.htm

I have a Galaxy and can fit 3 in the back and two more in the very back but if those are all full my dd will sit in her booster in the front. You just have to make sure it is pushed back as far as possible

amanda xx

**fionamal** · 14-01-2008, 09:30 PM

My local vauxhall dealership turned my airbag of for me. If needed I have a booster in the front but thats very rarely needed as I have a zafira with the 7 seats.

**mummyspice** · 14-01-2008, 09:32 PM

As far as I am aware, the minimum age of a child in the front with an airbag is 12. As a mum, I sometimes let my 9 yr old sit there-but would never put a babyseat there without switching off the airbag.
hth Lisa x

**Forum Widower** · 14-01-2008, 09:54 PM

Hi, this is a problem that many people do not know the correct answer to. I am shortly to become a childminder, joining my wife, but currently work in the insurance industry and i can categorically say you are not supposed to position a frontward or rearward facing car seat in the front passenger seat. And although many car manufacturers allow you to disable the passenger airbag with a key, you must check your insurance policy first. If you are involved in an accident and a front passenger is injured some insurance policies will not cover an insurance claim if you knowingly dissabled the passenger airbag - which makes it a bit pointless being able to turn the thing off in the first place.

Not great news for your problem but i hope this clears things up for you.

Forum Widower

**manjay** · 14-01-2008, 09:59 PM

I personally wouldn't disable airbags but the law does state that children can travel in the front in certain circumstances.

amanda xx

**deeb66** · 14-01-2008, 10:01 PM

Thank you Forum Widower

You have said what I would have said but with a little more inside knowledge - iynwim

I would never put a child in the front seat if it had an airbag.

I would not even let my 11 year old son sit in the front seat if there was an airbag.

I would never disable an airbag as it is there to protect the front passenger and you will be disabling a safety device.

Sorry!

**katickles** · 14-01-2008, 10:08 PM

Thanks Forum Widower,

Thats about what I have been trying to explain to my husband, who's point is why do they make cars that enable you to disable them. Was going to ring my insurance company tomorrow for their advice so at least i now know what to expect.

Really don't want to change my car, not only would it be expensive but I love mine!!!

Thanks everybody for your help & advice x

**chubbymummy** · 14-01-2008, 10:31 PM

thanks forum widower it makes sense to me know!

**chez1373** · 15-01-2008, 12:46 AM

Oh my Gosh,
I always have my son in the front seat he is 2!
Ill be putting him in the back from now i did phone and ask my dealer and they said it was fine!!!!!!
He has been in the from from birth!
Thats two years and ive been stopped by the police(routine stop) and they never said anything either!!!
Im worried now

**Mickey Mouse Clubhouse** · 15-01-2008, 08:21 AM

Hi

I can turn my airbag on and off which I do. When I had my Ofsted inspection at the end of 2006 and they asked me do I use the front seat I said yes for the 3.5 year old and she said as long as the airbag was not on then they did not have a problem with it.

Just not sure, now I have a 7 seater now so the children do not have to use the front seat but my 8.5 year old daughter does.

I would just check with your insurance company etc and see what they say.

Lorraine xx

**katickles** · 15-01-2008, 02:48 PM

Hi
Just to let everyone know i have spoken to my insurance company today & they have informed me that my cover would still be valid. If i have the airbag disconnected & i had an accident (not ever wanting that to happen

) if it can be proven that the airbag could have prevented injury or eased injury it would mean a lesser payout although they said they would still payout.
They are going to put this into writting so that i can show ofsted.

Hopefully if i'm on outings & need the car for transport i will try & plan these around only 2 of the children. Other outings we will walk to, luckily i live within walking distance to our village centre.

At least i know where i stand on it now.

**manjay** · 15-01-2008, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by kateslittletreasures

Hi
Just to let everyone know i have spoken to my insurance company today & they have informed me that my cover would still be valid. If i have the airbag disconnected & i had an accident (not ever wanting that to happen

) if it can be proven that the airbag could have prevented injury or eased injury it would mean a lesser payout although they said they would still payout.
They are going to put this into writting so that i can show ofsted.

Hopefully if i'm on outings & need the car for transport i will try & plan these around only 2 of the children. Other outings we will walk to, luckily i live within walking distance to our village centre.

At least i know where i stand on it now.

Always good to get it from the horses mouth so to speak!

amanda xx

**Chell** · 27-01-2008, 08:06 PM

I've just found this link re car seats, airbags, etc.

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/faqs/index.htm

It has some useful information on that page and the rest of the site.