Volvo 780 Owner's Manual page 28

1989 Volvo 780
Special child restraint systems are designed to be secured in the vehicle by lap belts or the lap portion of
a lap-shoulder belt. Such child restraint systems can help protect children in cars in the event of an
accident only if they are used properly. However, children could be endangered in a crash if their child
restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle.
Failure to follow the installation instructions for your child restraint can result in your child striking the
vehicle's interior during a sudden stop or crash.
Holding a child in your arms is NOT a suitable substitute for a child restraint system. In an accident, a
child held in a person's arms can be crushed between the vehicle's interior and an unrestrained person.
The child can also be injured by striking the interior, or by being ejected from the vehicle during a
sudden maneuver or impact. The same can happen if an infant or child rides unrestrained on the seat.
Other occupants should also be properly restrained to help reduce the chance of injuring or increasing
the injury of a child.
All states and provinces have legislation governing how and where children should be carried in a car.
Recent accident statistics have shown that children are safer in rear seating positions than front seating
positions when properly restrained.
A child restraint system can help protect a child in a vehicle. Here's what to look for when selecting a
child restraint system:
It should have a label certifying that it meets applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(FMVSS 213) or in Canada, CMVSS 213.
Make sure the child restraint system is appropriate for the child's height, weight and development -
the label required by the standard or regulation or instructions for infant restraints typically provide this
information.
In using any child restraint system, we urge you to carefully look over the instructions that are
provided with the restraint. Be sure you understand them and can use the device properly and
safely in this vehicle. A misused child restraint system can result in increased injuries for both the
infant or child and other occupants in the vehicle.
If your child restraint requires a top tether strap, consult your authorized Volvo dealer for top tether
anchorage and installation information.
When a child has outgrown the child safety seat (approximately age 4-5 years, depending on size) you
should use the rear seat with the standard seat belt fastened. The best way to protect the child here is to
place the child on a cushion so that the seat/shoulder belt is properly located on the hip. A specially
designed and tested safety cushion for this purpose can be obtained from your Volvo dealer. Volvo also
offers a seat for children 0 to approximately 4 years.
pg. 29 Child safety
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