Dear Tom and Ray:

Is it safe to knit (as a passenger) in a seat with an air bag? My husband says I shouldn't, but I want to know for sure. -- Kim

TOM: Well, it's safe unless you have an accident that deploys the air bag, Kim. Depending upon which way the needles are pointing when the air bag goes off, they could either be tossed into the back seat or speared into the seat back, by way of your thorax.

RAY: So if you really want to be safe, you have to sit in the back, like Grandmas do with their knitting needles.

TOM: It would be nice if someone made knitting needles out of some sort of firm rubber, with perhaps a short, hardened point. That way, they'd bend in an accident, rather than spear somebody. But I haven't seen anything like that yet.

RAY: And by the way, it's nice that your husband is worrying about you, Kim. My wife keeps suggesting that I take up knitting in the car, and she keeps buying me "Battle Tested" brand hardened steel needles.