Where should you avoid using a rear-facing infant safety seat?

Using a rear-facing infant safety seat in the front passenger seat of an airbag-equipped vehicle is particularly dangerous due to the risk posed by the airbag. In the event of a collision, if the airbag deploys, it can exert a significant force that could harm or even seriously injure a child in a rear-facing seat. Rear-facing infant seats are designed to cradle the child's head, neck, and spine in a collision, but the violent expansion of an airbag can counteract this safety feature, leading to severe consequences.

In contrast, rear-facing seats are typically recommended for the back seat where there are no airbags directly impacting the child. The back seat is generally the safest area for children in a vehicle, which is why it is advisable to place the seat there whenever possible. While the other areas mentioned—such as a pickup truck bed or vehicles without seatbelts—also present risks, the immediate danger associated with a front passenger seat and an airbag makes it critical to avoid that location for a rear-facing infant safety seat.