What should never be done with a rear-facing infant car seat?

A rear-facing infant car seat is designed to protect a young child's head, neck, and spine in the event of a collision. Placing it in front of an airbag poses a significant risk, as airbags deploy with great force during a crash, which can lead to severe injury or even fatality to an infant. The safety design principle of rear-facing seats is that they effectively distribute the force of the impact over the entire back of the child, minimizing the risk of severe injury.

Using a car seat without a seat belt is also unsafe because it can result in the car seat not being properly secured, rendering the seat ineffective during a crash. Allowing the seat to face forward contravenes safety guidelines, as rear-facing seats provide maximum protection for infants and toddlers. Removing the padding can compromise safety by reducing the protective cushioning necessary to shield the child from impact forces. Therefore, the primary reason that placing a rear-facing car seat in front of an airbag is so critical is related to the inherent dangers posed by airbag deployment.