AirBagDefects.com

Dangers of Air Bags

The energy required to inflate air bags in the short time available can injure people who are up against, or very close to, air bags as they inflate. In the first few milliseconds of inflation, the forces can seriously injure anyone struck by an inflating bag. It is important to understand that serious inflation injuries can occur because of people's positions when the bags begin inflating. Anyone who is too close to an air bag as it begins to inflate is at risk. Most air bag deaths involve people who were not using lap-and-shoulder belts, were improperly belted or were positioned improperly.

Accident statistics show that children are safer in the back seat, properly restrained. This is true in all vehicles, even those without air bags. Rear-facing restraints SHOULD NEVER be used in a front seat with a passenger air bag, unless the air bag is turned off. Learn more at www.ourpreciouscargo.com; www.safekids.org; and the Safety section of www.gmability.com.

• Air bags deploy incredibly fast - in less than a blink of the eye - which can lead to serious, or even fatal, injuries if the occupant is too close to, or in direct contact with, the air bag.
   

• Air bags are only effective when the car occupants are wearing their seatbelts properly AND are seated properly in the vehicle.  Unrestrained or incorrectly seated occupants will be thrown forward during the crash into the airbag and may even land on top of the airbag as it begins to inflate.
   

• The most advanced airbag systems - with sensors designed to determine occupant positions - pose the same risks when passengers are not properly restrained or seated.
   

• Children should never ride in the front seat as the airbags are likely to cause more harm during deployment. This is why an air bag ON-OFF switch is available in many cars, or can be installed.
   

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