Occupants

* All occupants should be properly restrained with either a safety belt or the proper child safety restraint, whether or not the vehicle has air bags.
* Serious or even fatal air bag-related injuries can occur if occupants are not properly restrained and in a proper seating position.
* Unrestrained or improperly restrained occupants will move forward during the hard braking before a crash. In addition to striking the interior of the vehicle, these occupants are very likely to be on top of the air bag as it begins to inflate.
* For properly restrained occupants, most air bag injuries are minor cuts, bruises or abrasions and are far less serious than the head trauma injuries that air bags can prevent.
* Even in vehicles with advanced frontal air bags, NHTSA still warns that serious or fatal injuries can occur if front seat occupants are not properly restrained and in a proper seating position.
* If your vehicle is equipped with advanced frontal air bags, make sure you understand the meaning of the "PASS AIR BAG OFF" indicator light.
* Dust off your owner's manual and familiarize yourself with the location and operation of all the air bags in your vehicle.
* As a driver, maintain at least 10 inches between your breastbone and the center of the steering wheel.