Warnings on Side Air Bag Peril

WASHINGTON — Side air bags in car doors or seats can kill or seriously injure children who are too close to them when they inflate, the government says in new warnings to motorists.

The consumer advisory, which federal regulators said they plan to issue today, comes as more auto makers are installing side air bags as either standard or optional equipment.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Agency also is asking all auto makers that install side air bags in rear seats to ship the vehicles to dealers with those air bags deactivated. The devices can be turned on by dealers for consumers who want them after they are advised of the risk to children, according to an agency letter being sent to manufacturers.

Safety officials say that testing done by the agency or provided by manufacturers show that side air bags could deploy with enough power to seriously harm or kill children.

There have been no deaths or serious injuries reported from side air bags.