me and my husband have been trying to install infant car seat, but seem not to be making it secure , where can i go to professionally install car seat??? please i need help.
2007-04-23 15:34:53 · 18 answers · asked by ActorTerri 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I see a lot of answers telling you to go to the fire station and i won't say that is wrong but my husband is a fireman and around here they aren't trained in that, they will check it out and help you out with it as much as they can. The police in my area are certified to check your car seat installation and can provide you with a free car seat if someone is in need, sometimes they offer car seat checks at festivals and things but you can always go by the police station, you might call first though just to check who has been trained in your area. I am sure in some areas the firemen are trained but i'd check first.
2007-04-23 16:26:09 · answer #1 · answered by noone 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From all the different answers, it looks like it might depend upon where you live. I know in my area, the fire station is not the place to go, they wouldn't be able to help. A hospital with a maternity ward should have a CPST (child passenger safety technician) on staff and there during the day, as I believe it's a law that every baby's seat must be checked before they're allowed to leave the hospital. Also, you can get checked at a police station, but not every officer has the know-how, and in my area, you do have to make an appointment. Once installed, grab the base of the seat at the belt path, it shouldn't move any more than 1", and less is better! Are you installing with LATCH or seat belt? Both are equally safe, LATCH is supposed to be easier, but not every seat will work in every car's LATCH anchors. Some are too wide/narrow for some seats. Try a seatbelt install if you haven't already. If your seatbelts don't lock, you need to use a locking clip. Most seats in cars made after 1997 have seatbelts that lock, if it's older than that, test them:
1. Slowly pull the shoulder portion of the belt all the way out from the retractor.
2. Slowly let the belt feed back into the retractor about 12".
3. Does it make a ratcheting/clicking sound* and NOT let you pull excess belt back out of the retractor?
Yes? It locks and you do NOT need a locking clip. This type of seat belt has a switchable retractor, because it switches between locking only on sudden braking/impact (ELR) and staying locked. To unlock a switchable retractor, unbuckle it and feed it all the way back into the retractor.
No? Your seat belt does not lock and you MUST use a locking clip.
There's instructions on how to use a locking clip on the second link. Some tips to get it tight: put your knee in the seat and put all your weight on it, even have 2 people put theirs knees if necessary, before buckling. Make sure you use tether (if forward facing) it helps make it more solid.
2007-04-24 00:49:55 · answer #2 · answered by littleangelfire81 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Police or fire department personnel are usually trained in car seat installation. The county health department where I live will also aid in car seat installation. I would start by calling the police station (DO NOT dial 911... look up the local non-emergency number)... they should be able to help or know of someone who could. Good luck!!
2007-04-23 22:40:09 · answer #3 · answered by melgoede 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to your nearest local fire station. Professional firefighters are trained in installing infant/child car seats and are happy to show you how to safely install and secure your child's car seat. This is a free service that they provide to the community.
2007-04-23 22:40:48 · answer #4 · answered by birkmaiden 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Police Station
2007-04-23 23:14:43 · answer #5 · answered by ~Emma's Mommy~ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try www.seatcheck.org, or call 1-866-SEAT CHECK
It is a free service in the US that will direct you to local PDs or fire departments to make sure the car seat is installed correctly.
Because it is confusing and very important!
2007-04-23 22:40:02 · answer #6 · answered by PedsGirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call the nursery at the hospital they should be able to tell you groups that help with that. Or atleast get you in contact with a hospital social worker who can help. Our local ambulance service does it once a month, and so do a few other people like the police station and several car lots and schools.
2007-04-23 22:38:37 · answer #7 · answered by Lori R 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can go to any police station.
All police officers are required to take a proficiancy class and exam in installing car seats properly.
They will intstall it and show you how to do it properly as well.
They have to know this to teach people how to prevent injury to a child in the event of an accident.
So they are the best ones to ask.
Good luck
2007-04-23 22:40:33 · answer #8 · answered by mommy2jackjack 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
call the police station..they are trained for this and if they wont do it they can tell you someone who can. some areas the health department will do it.......also www.seatcheck.org has a interactive search to find technicians in your area that are licensed to intall safety seats and most are free of charge.
2007-04-23 23:55:53 · answer #9 · answered by CRmac 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your local health department or even the sheriffs office should have someone that can assist you with this and instruct you on the correct way to install it.
2007-04-23 23:07:26 · answer #10 · answered by Deborah L 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋