Lexus RX450h Owners Book page 141

CAUTION
Child restraint precautions
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For effective protection in automobile accidents and sudden stops, a child must
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be properly restrained, using a seat belt or child restraint system depending on
the age and size of the child. Holding a child in your arms is not a substitute for a
child restraint system. In an accident, the child can be crushed against the wind-
shield, or between you and the vehicle's interior. This may cause death or serious
injury to the child in the event of a sudden stop or an accident.
Lexus strongly urges the use of a proper child restraint system that conforms to
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the size of the child, installed on the rear seat. According to accident statistics, the
child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat even
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if the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator light is illuminated. In the event of an accident, the
force of the rapid inflation of the front passenger airbag can cause death or seri-
ous injury to the child if a rear-facing child restraint system is installed on the front
passenger seat.
A forward-facing child restraint system may be installed on the front passenger
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seat only when it is unavoidable. A child restraint system that requires a top tether
strap should not be used in the front passenger seat since there is no top tether
strap anchor for the front passenger seat. Adjust the seatback as upright as possi-
ble and always move the seat as far back as possible even if the "AIR BAG OFF"
indicator light is illuminated, because the front passenger airbag could inflate with
considerable speed and force. Otherwise, the child may be killed or seriously
injured.
Do not use the seat belt extender when installing a child restraint system on the
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front or rear passenger seat. If installing a child restraint system with the seat belt
extender connected to the seat belt, the seat belt will not securely hold the child
restraint system, which could cause death or serious injury to the child or other
passengers in the event of a sudden stop, sudden swerve or accident.
Do not allow the child to lean his/her head or any part of his/her body against the
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door or the area of the seat, front and rear pillars or roof side rails from which the
SRS side airbags or SRS curtain shield airbags deploy even if the child is seated in
the child restraint system. It is dangerous if the side airbags and curtain shield air-
bags inflate, and the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
1-8. Safety information
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