The best way to protect the fetus is to protect themother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s morelikely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. Forpregnant women, as for anyone, the key to makingsafety belts effective is wearing them properly.Passenger PositionTo learn how to wear the passenger’s safety beltproperly, seeDriver Position on page 1-10.The passenger’s safety belt works the same way as thedriver’s safety belt — except for one thing. If youever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all the way,you will engage the child restraint locking feature. Ifthis happens, just let the belt go back all the way andstart again.Safety Belt PretensionersYour vehicle has safety belt pretensioners. You’ll findthem on the buckle end of the safety belts for the driverand right front passenger. They help the safety beltsreduce a person’s forward movement in a moderate tosevere crash in which the front of the vehicle hitssomething.Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in acrash, you’ll need to get new ones, and probably othernew parts for your safety belt system. SeeReplacingRestraint System Parts After a Crash on page 1-49.Safety Belt ExtenderIf the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, youshould use it.But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, yourdealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you goin to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, sothe extender will be long enough for you. The extenderwill be just for you, and just for the seat in yourvehicle that you choose. Don’t let someone else use it,and use it only for the seat it is made to fit. To wearit, just attach it to the regular safety belt.1-17
