Car seat PSA :)

[kmc84]

I didn't want to hijack IFinTN post, so here goes...

please read your car seat manual front to back and then do it again before you install your car seat.  Everything that you need to know about using your car seat correctly and giving it the best chance of saving your child's life in an accident is in the manual.  I'm not trying to scare anybody, but that is the purpose of the car seat, to save your child's life. Please learn how to use it the right way.

I highly suggest that everybody join Car Seats for the Littles on Facebook. It's an amazing resource that's run by CPST's. They can check and make sure that you have your child strapped in correctly and that your installation is correct if you post pictures. If you're not on Facebook, The Car Seat Lady is also a great resource. Her website is full of very, very good information.

Correct car seat use is not as common sense as people seem to think it is, yet people are so reluctant to get help with it and I'm not sure why.

okay, I'm done with my spiel. I want everybody to drive home with their little bundles safe and snug in their nice new car seats

[IFinTN]

Yes, it looked so simple yet had us both scratching our heads at a few times this morning. I hear your local fire dept will do a safety check as well.

[kmc84]

Feb 21, 2015 19:16:41 GMT -5 IFinTN said:

Yes, it looked so simple yet had us both scratching our heads at a few times this morning. I hear your local fire dept will do a safety check as well.

This is sadly a very common misconception. Police and fire departments very rarely have qualified CPSTs on staff. From being on CSFTL, I've seen installs from police and firemen that would absolutely prove fatal to the child in an accident.

If you ever meet with someone to check your seat, ask them to show you their certification card. All CPSTs are trained through Safe Kids and must recertify to stay current. A CPST should never install a seat for you. Their job is to teach you how to do it correctly so you are confident knowing how to use your seat correctly.

Here is a link to help you find a CPST near you: cert.safekids.org/find-tech-0

[ginnyjones82]

Thanks for the info!

[IFinTN]

Well now I can go to sleep! Learn something new every day! Thanks kmc84

[hollberry]

Thanks for the heads up

[kmc84]

I hope I don't come off sounding like a know-it-all B.

I just want everyone to have good resources I'd love to take the CPST class myself, I just can't ask DH to take a week of vacation time for me to do it.....maybe someday!

I see so many new moms who make big mistakes because they simply don't know better. The information is out there if you know where to look

[IFinTN]

Feb 21, 2015 20:23:14 GMT -5 kmc84 said:

I hope I don't come off sounding like a know-it-all B.

I just want everyone to have good resources I'd love to take the CPST class myself, I just can't ask DH to take a week of vacation time for me to do it.....maybe someday!

I see so many new moms who make big mistakes because they simply don't know better. The information is out there if you know where to look

It is very much appreciated info, I always assumed the fire station was where to go!! Never heard of CPST until now.

[sewfie2]

IFinTN, I thought the same thing about the fire station. I think I heard about it on the local news years and years ago. And thank you for posting about this and for posting the CPST link kmc84!

[SweetieShellie]

We're in Canada so it may be different then in the USA, but I assume we must have something similar to that certificate. DH's friend is a fighterfighter, and he told DH about the amount of training they get on car seats. They spend a few hours a month, and every few months they have full day training sessions, just so they are up to date on all the new safety standards and care seats. I'm hoping he will be able to help us install ours when we get them!

[kmc84]

Feb 22, 2015 14:35:59 GMT -5 SweetieShellie said:

We're in Canada so it may be different then in the USA, but I assume we must have something similar to that certificate. DH's friend is a fighterfighter, and he told DH about the amount of training they get on car seats. They spend a few hours a month, and every few months they have full day training sessions, just so they are up to date on all the new safety standards and care seats. I'm hoping he will be able to help us install ours when we get them!

That's great they get so much training! I honestly can't rember who does certification in Canada. Car Seats for the Littles has lots of Canadian members too, if you were interested in joining.