Rear Side Airbags - Hazard for Children?

[Bayer]

Ok, I listened to car talk on NPR this morning and they had a caller that inquired about the possible danger of rear side airbags when you have children.

They said that you do NOT want to have small children near an airbag anywhere.

Does anyone have a good opinion on this subject?

Should I de-activate my rear side airbags?

How could this be accomplished?

Thanks for your help.

[tabo]

But I suggest you to put your baby seat in the MIDDLE far away from the air bags.. and if your children don't need a baby seat I think they are safe just as long as they are buckled up.. you have to think the other way, what happens if there was an accident on the side of the vehicle (the side of the vehicle are probably the weakest point on a car) if the impact is strong enough, perhaps the air bag will even save your child's life! that what it is designed for.. so disabling it is defeating the safety purpose... Besides the ML is one of the safest SUVs you can ride in.

[Bayer]

I agree with you.

I wonder what studies have been made on this issue.

I guess the danger is that the airbag could suffocate a child, since the child sits lower than an adult.

I'll wait to see what other responses I get,

Thanks

[tabo]

In my City, there was a case in the newspaper where a older lady that died through airbags, she happens to be a professor at University of British Columbia, she was driving an Acura 3.2TL and I'm guessing she wasn't really tall because she hit something and her seat was too close to the steering wheel, the air bag must have knocked her out and suffocated her because by the time the police got to her she died.. Yes she is a teacher for one of the best universities in canada...

[Gilly]

I'm always fairly skeptical of airbag-caused deaths. Especially when reported to be caused by suffocation. It's not like someone holding your face into a pillow or something, it deflates almost immediately after deploying. In a side impact, I would rather take the chance with the side bag rather than face a hard impact from the other vehicle or parts of my door hitting me.

Gilly

ps:

Does anyone have a good opinion on this subject?

Opinions are opinions. You may not agree with someones opinion on some topic, but agree or not, you can't qualify an opinion as good or bad. Just my opinion .