My car has the LATCH system for carseats on each side seat, but it also has side-impact airbags. Is it safe?

Question

to put a carseat on the side if there are side-impact airbags?

Answer 1

Side airbags aren't like front airbags where they pop out. They go down as a curtain.

Answer 2

I would put the car seat in the middle of the back seat because that is the safest place for the child, the crumple zone is the strongest there.

Side air bags improve safety for adults in side-impact crashes.

Read your vehicle owner’s manual for more information about the air bags in your vehicle.

Read your car safety seat manual for guidance on placing the seat next to a side air bag.

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing...

Answer 3

Yes, it's fine for an appropriately installed carseat to be installed next to side curtain airbags.  Otherwise they wouldn't have put the LATCH hooks there.

Answer 4

Are they side-impact airbags or side-curtain airbags?

Side-impact airbags are beneficial, especially if your child restraint doesn't have true side impact protection.

Side-impact airbags - if you are putting a restraint there, you need to have those airbags disabled by the dealer (it should say that in your owner's manual!).

The middle of the backseat is the safest place for a child! LATCH can't be used in the middle of most cars though, so you'd probably have to install with a seatbelt in that position. (again, check your manual).