Get Safe Driving -> Child Safety Guide for Honda CR-V SUV Fourth Generation (2011-2015)

Child Safety

Protecting Child Passengers

Each year, many children are injured or killed in vehicle crashes because they are

either unrestrained or not properly restrained. In fact, vehicle accidents are the

number one cause of death of children ages 12 and under.

1Protecting Child Passengers

3

WARNING

Children who are unrestrained or

improperly restrained can be seriously

injured or killed in a crash.

To reduce the number of child deaths and injuries, every state, Canadian province

and territory requires that infants and children be properly restrained when they ride

in a vehicle.

Any child too small for a seat belt should be

properly restrained in a child seat. A larger

child should be properly restrained with a

seat belt, using a booster seat if necessary.

Children should sit properly restrained in a rear seat. This is because:

• An inflating front or side airbag can injure

or kill a child sitting in the front seat.

• A child in the front seat is more likely to

interfere with the driver's ability to safely

control the vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

and Transport Canada recommend that all children

ages 12 and under be properly restrained in a rear

seat. Some states or provinces/territories have laws

restricting where children may ride.

• Statistics show that children of all sizes and

ages are safer when they are properly

restrained in a rear seat.

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uuChild SafetyuProtecting Child Passengers

• Any child who is too small to wear a seat belt correctly must be restrained in an

approved child seat that is properly secured to the vehicle using either the lap belt

portion of the lap/shoulder belt or the lower anchors of the LATCH system.

1Protecting Child Passengers

3

WARNING

Allowing a child to play with a seat belt or

wrap one around their neck can result in

serious injury or death.

• Never hold a child on your lap because it is impossible to protect them in the

event of a collision.

Instruct children not to play with any seat

belt and make sure any unused seat belt a

child can reach is buckled, fully retracted,

and locked.

• Never put a seat belt over yourself and a child. During a crash, the belt would

likely press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.

• Never let two children use the same seat belt. Both children could be very

seriously injured in a crash.

To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle

and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

• Do not allow children to operate the doors, windows or seat adjustments.

To remind you of the passenger's front airbag

hazards and child safety, your vehicle warning came

with a label on the dashboard (U.S. models) and has

labels on the front visors. Please read and follow the

instructions on these labels.

• Do not leave children in the vehicle unattended, especially in hot weather when

the inside of the vehicle can get hot enough to kill them. They could also activate

vehicle controls causing it to move unexpectedly.

2 Safety Labels P. 68

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uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

Safety of Infants and Small Children

1Protecting Infants

Protecting Infants

■

An infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until the

infant reaches the seat manufacturer’s weight or height limit for the seat, and the

infant is at least one year old.

3

WARNING

Placing a rear-facing child seat in the front

seat can result in serious injury or death

during a crash.

■

Positioning a rear-facing child seat

Child seats must be placed and secured in a

rear seating position.

Always place a rear-facing child seat in the

rear seat, not the front.

Rear-facing child seats should never be installed in a

forward facing position.

Always refer to the child seat manufacturer’s

instructions before installation.

When properly installed, a rear-facing child seat may prevent the driver or a front

passenger from moving their seat all the way back, or from locking their seat-back

in the desired position.

It can also interfere with proper operation of the passenger's advanced front airbag

system.

2 Airbags P. 41

If this occurs, we recommend that you install the child seat directly behind the front

passenger's seat, move the seat as far forward as needed, and leave it unoccupied.

Or, you may wish to get a smaller rear-facing child seat.

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uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

1Protecting Smaller Children

Protecting Smaller Children

■

If a child is at least one year old and within the weight range indicated by the child

seat manufacturer, the child should be properly restrained in a firmly secured

forward-facing child seat.

3

WARNING

Placing a forward-facing child seat in the

front seat can result in serious injury or

death if the front airbag inflates.

■

Forward-facing child seat placement

We strongly recommend placing a forward-

facing child seat in a rear seating position.

If you must place a forward-facing child

seat in front, move the vehicle seat as far

back as possible, and properly restrain the

child.

Educate yourself about the laws and regulations

regarding child seat use where you are driving, and

follow the child seat manufacturer's instructions.

Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can be hazardous, even with

advanced front airbags that automatically turn the passenger's front airbag off. A

rear seat is the safest place for a child.

Many experts recommend use of a rear-facing seat

for a child up to two years old if the child’s height and

weight are appropriate for a rear-facing seat.

Continued

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uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

1Selecting a Child Seat

Selecting a Child Seat

■

Installation of a LATCH-compatible child seat is

simple.

Most child seats are LATCH-compatible (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren).

Some have a rigid-type connector while others have a flexible-type connector. Both

are equally easy to use. Some existing and previously owned child seats can only be

installed using the seat belt. Whichever type you choose, follow the child seat

manufacturer's use and care instructions as well as the instructions in this manual.

Proper installation is key to maximizing your child's safety.

LATCH-compatible child seats have been developed

to simplify the installation process and reduce the

likelihood of injuries caused by incorrect installation.

In seating positions and vehicles not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH-compatible

child seat can be installed using the seat belt and a top tether for added security.

This is because all child seats are required to be designed so that they can be secured

with a lap belt or the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt. In addition, the child seat

manufacturer may advise that a seat belt be used to attach a LATCH-compatible seat

once a child reaches a specified weight. Please read the child seat owner’s manual

for proper installation instructions.

■

Important consideration when selecting a child seat

Make sure the child seat meets the following three requirements:

• The child seat is the correct type and size for the child.

• The child seat is the correct type for the seating position.

• The child seat is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or

Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

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uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

■

A LATCH-compatible child seat can be installed in rear seats. A child seat is attached

to the lower anchors with either the rigid or flexible type of connectors.

1. Locate the lower anchors under the marks.

Marks

2. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat then

attach the child seat to the lower anchors

according to the instructions that came

with the child seat.

Lower Anchors

u When installing the child seat, make sure

that the lower anchors are not

obstructed by the seat belt or any other

object.

Rigid Type

Continued

59

uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

1Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

For your child’s safety, when using a child seat

installed using the LATCH system, make sure that the

child seat is properly secured to the vehicle. A child

seat that is not properly secured will not adequately

protect a child in a crash and may cause injury to the

child or other vehicle occupants.

Flexible Type

Outer position

Tether

Strap

Hook

3. Put the head restraint to its upper-most

position, then route the tether strap

between the head restraint legs, and secure

the tether strap hook onto the anchor.

4. Go to step 7.

Anchor

Center position

Cover

3. Lower the head restraint to its lowest

position.

4. Open the anchor cover.

Center Lower Anchor

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uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

5. Route the tether strap over the head

restraint. Make sure the strap is not twisted.

6. Secure the tether strap hook onto the

anchor.

Center position

Anchor

All models

7. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the

child seat manufacturer.

Tether Strap

Hook

8. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by

rocking it forward and back and side to

side; little movement should be felt.

9. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child

can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor

is activated, and the belt is fully retracted

and locked.

Continued

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uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

1Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

■

A child seat that is not properly secured will not

adequately protect a child in a crash and may cause

injury to the child or other vehicle occupants.

1. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat.

2. Route the seat belt through the child seat

according to the seat manufacturer’s

instructions, and insert the latch plate into

the buckle.

u Insert the latch plate fully until it clicks.

3. Slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all

the way out until it stops. This activates the

lockable retractor.

4. Let the seat belt completely wind up into

the retractor, then try to pull it out to make

sure the retractor is locked.

u If you are able to pull the shoulder belt

out, the lockable retractor is not

activated. Pull the seat belt all the way

out, and repeat steps 3 – 4.

5. Grab the shoulder part of the seat belt near

the buckle, and pull up to remove any slack

from the lap part of the belt.

u When doing this, place your weight on

the child seat and push it into the vehicle

seat.

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uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

1Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

6. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by

rocking it forward and back and side to

side; little movement should be felt.

7. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child

can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor

is activated, and the belt is fully retracted

and locked.

To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle

and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

1Adding Security with a Tether

Adding Security with a Tether

■

Since a tether can provide additional security to the

lap/shoulder seat belt installation, we recommend

using a tether whenever one is available.

Two tether anchorage points are provided

behind the rear outer seating positions and

one in the ceiling for the rear center. A child

seat that is installed with a seat belt and

comes with a tether can use the tether for

additional security.

Anchor Fitting

Tether Anchorage Points

Continued

63

uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

■

Using an outer anchor

Tether

Strap

Hook

1. Put the head restraint to its upper-most

position, then route the tether strap

through the head restraint legs.

Make sure the strap is not twisted.

2. Secure the tether strap hook onto the

anchor.

3. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the

child seat manufacturer.

Anchor

■

Using the center anchor

Anchor

1. Lower the head restraint to its lowest

position.

2. Open the anchor cover.

3. Route the tether strap over the head

restraint.

Tether Strap

Hook

Make sure the strap is not twisted.

4. Secure the tether strap hook onto the

anchor.

5. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the

child seat manufacturer.

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uuChild SafetyuSafety of Larger Children

Safety of Larger Children

1Safety of Larger Children

Protecting Larger Children

■

The following pages give instructions on how to check proper seat belt fit, what kind

of booster seat to use if one is needed, and important precautions for a child who

must sit in front.

3

WARNING

Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in

front can result in injury or death if the

passenger's front airbag inflates.

Checking Seat Belt Fit

■

If a larger child must ride in front, move the

vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible,

have the child sit up properly and wear the

seat belt properly, using a booster seat if

needed.

When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in a rear seat using the lap/

shoulder seat belt. Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then answer the

following questions.

■

Checklist

• Do the child's knees bend comfortably over

the edge of the seat?

• Does the shoulder belt cross between the

child's neck and arm?

• Is the lap part of the seat belt as low as

possible, touching the child's thighs?

• Will the child be able to stay seated like this

for the whole trip?

If you answer yes to all these questions, the child is ready to wear the lap/shoulder

seat belt correctly. If you answer no to any question, the child needs to ride on a

booster seat until the seat belt fits properly without a booster seat.

Continued

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uuChild SafetyuSafety of Larger Children

1Booster Seats

Booster Seats

■

When installing a booster seat, make sure to read the

instructions that came with it, and install the seat

accordingly.

There are high- and low-type booster seats. Choose a

booster seat that allows the child to wear the seat

belt correctly.

If a lap/shoulder seat belt cannot be used

properly, position the child in a booster seat in

a rear seating position. For the child's safety,

check that the child meets the booster seat

manufacturer's recommendations.

Some U.S. states and Canadian provinces and

territories require children to use a booster seat until

they reach a given age or weight (e.g. 6 years or 60

lbs). Be sure to check current laws in the state or

province, or territory where you intend to drive.

Protecting Larger Children-Final Checks

■

Your vehicle has a rear seat where children can be properly restrained. If you ever

have to carry a group of children, and a child must ride in front:

• Make sure you read and fully understand the instructions and safety information

in this manual.

• Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible.

• Have the child sit upright and well back in the seat.

• Check that the seat belt is properly positioned so that the child is secure in the

seat.

■

Monitoring child passengers

We strongly recommend that you keep an eye on child passengers. Even older, more

mature children sometimes need to be reminded to fasten their seat belts and sit up

properly.

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Exhaust Gas Hazard

Carbon Monoxide Gas

The engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorless,

odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, carbon

monoxide gas will not get into the interior.

1Carbon Monoxide Gas

3

WARNING

Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.

Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and

even kill you.

■

Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever

• The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.

• The exhaust system may have been damaged.

• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.

Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that

expose you to carbon monoxide.

When you operate a vehicle with the tailgate open, airflow can pull exhaust gas into

the interior and create a hazardous condition. If you must drive with the tailgate

open, open all the windows and set the heating and cooling system^*/climate control

system^*as shown below.

An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up

with carbon monoxide gas.

Do not run the engine with the garage door closed.

Even when the garage door is open, drive out of the

garage immediately after starting the engine.

1. Select the fresh air mode.

2. Select the

mode.

3. Set the fan speed to high.

4. Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.

Adjust the heating and cooling system^*/climate control system^*in the same manner

if you sit in your parked vehicle with the engine running.

* Not available on all models

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Safe Driving -> Child Safety for Your Honda CR-V SUV Fourth Generation (2011-2015)

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