Airbags

[finn]

Can I put a child in a car seat with a 5 point harness (Recaro Young Sport)in the front seat of a car that has an airbag?

[Defrost]

Technically yes, but only a FF carseat. Keep in mind it's still the least safe seating position, and you still need to make sure the carseat is properly installed (of course), and you should push the vehicle seat back as far as possible to limit any contact with the airbag in a crash.

It's not an ideal situation - the back seat provides a considerable amount of protection, particularly for children.

[finn]

Cool thanks for that, I bought a new car thinking I could get 3 across in it, turns out my rear facing seat takes up too much room & the car has bucket seats, so I can only get 2 in the back. I do daycare & have 2 children for 3 hours a day, so I needed to know if in an emergency I could put one of the daycare kids in the front :)

[LISmama810]

A lot of parents probably wouldn't care, but I wouldn't be too happy if a daycare provider put my child in the front seat.

What kind of car and car seats do you have? What are the ages/sizes of the kids? We might be able to come up with an inexpensive solution that will allow you to get three across in the back (presuming there are actually three seating positions back there).

[finn]

I asked her Mum and she doesn't mind her daughter being in the front, I have her harnessed in my car, she is in a booster in her car.

I have a 1998 BMW 318i.

My son is 2, 12kg (26lbs) rf in a Brio Zento (i have a maxi cosi priori coming for him)
Daycare girl is 3, 16kg (35lbs), ff Recaro Young Sport (in my car) booster in her car http://www.winkalotts.co.nz/Car_Seats/Boosters/4063/Mirage_Booster_Seat_Blue.html
My daycare boy is almost 4, 20kg (44lbs) in the same booster.