October 2015 Moms

Car seat safety

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Re: Car seat safety

  • Ladies, I'm typically a lurker but just want to jump in and say that this is a great thread. I also wanted to share a short video for moms who are in a similar situation to me. We don't own a car, so our car seat will primarily be used in taxis or family members cars which means that we will often not have access to the car seat base. The car seat lady has strong thoughts about finding a seat that utilizes a European belt path in situations like this and it was very helpful to me in narrowing down my choices for car seats. Hope this helps someone else!

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l_ZvrrRzSw4
  • aprosch said:
    Anyone can go to www.seatcheck.org  They have a lookup by zip code to find your local car seat inspection.  

    I looked up my current zip code and Safe Kids of NE FL does them at one of the hospitals and at Destination Maternity twice a month.  I also looked up my zip code from back home because I was pretty sure the police and/or fire dept do them there (it's a really small town) and it shows that as well.  So it looks like anywhere in the US can be searched for.
    Yes to this! You can also check with your delivering hospital or if they have a children's hospital that does it. My friend is a certified to teach parents how to install car seats and is able to check the car seat once they've installed it to make sure it's correct. She works for a children's hospital in St. Louis. They do a car seat safety class with you and then go over and check how you've installed the car seat. 
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  • Babies R Us may offer car seat safety classes as well, but you have to check with your local store. 
  • rizzligrizzlig member
    edited August 2015
    Thanks to whoever was able to make this permanent at the top.  Such great info!!
  • Now I forget what was and wasn't mentioned already, so I'm just going to write this here:

    Don't ever buy a used car seat, even if the expiration date still hasn't passed, because you have no idea what the history of that seat is.  It may have been in an accident (even a minor one) and won't be safe in an accident with your little one.  It may look perfect, but there could be microscopic hairline cracks in the frame that will make it weaker in an accident.  If you're buying from a trustworthy friend or relative, that's another story, but never buy from a consignment store, from Craigslist, Kijiji, etc.  Also, pay careful attention to the date of manufacture.  In Canada (not sure about the US), the regulations were updated in January 2012.  So Transport Canada says this about car seats manufactured before 2012: That it is illegal to advertise, sell, or give it (including lending) away because it may  not meet the current regulations.  
  • I've been given the suggestion by several people to take the car to a firehouse or police station and ask a fireman or cop to install the base, that they are supposed to be trained on car seat safety. Also to purchase a base for each car baby will travel in so that it is never removed.
  • I would just like to second: do not use LATCH lower anchors in the center seat unless it is explicitly allowed by BOTH your car seat manual AND your car manual (which is very rare). The center back seat is the safest, but you have to use the seat belt. I did not know this with my first and was shocked--shocked--to find out I had installed her car seat incorrectly. 
    Thank you for this! I swear I read everything, and your post is the first I'm hearing about this. I checked my car manual at work this morning, and it allows for center installation (Ford Focus). I will have to check the car seat manual when I get home. 

    Why is this so complicated?! I feel like there are all these mystery rules that need to be shouted in neon lights! 
  • leighann1 said:



    I would just like to second: do not use LATCH lower anchors in the center seat unless it is explicitly allowed by BOTH your car seat manual AND your car manual (which is very rare). The center back seat is the safest, but you have to use the seat belt. I did not know this with my first and was shocked--shocked--to find out I had installed her car seat incorrectly. 

    Thank you for this! I swear I read everything, and your post is the first I'm hearing about this. I checked my car manual at work this morning, and it allows for center installation (Ford Focus). I will have to check the car seat manual when I get home. 

    Why is this so complicated?! I feel like there are all these mystery rules that need to be shouted in neon lights! 



    I get the frustration about "mysterious" rules. Car seat safety is a continually evolving concept as we learn more and more about how to make cars safe and how kids bodies develop.

    The thing with using LATCH in the center seat is that not all cars are designed with LATCH anchors in the center. This means that you'd have to "borrow" from the side seats, which could cause problems.

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  • NukkeNukke member
    edited September 2015
    https://www.facebook.com/356320720218/videos/10152629798945219/

    Here is a great video showing the effects of forward facing infants vs rear facing infants. This is why we recommend kids stay rear facing as long as your seat will allow. AT LEAST until they are two! Longer the better. Many seats will go rear facing to 45 pounds and 36" tall, your child could be three rear facing - our take is to go for it! Keep those precious necks in one piece!
  • Last week I went to the local state highway patrol office and they had a specialist install and show us how to install.  I asked the specialist if I could record her installing it via my cell phone (she let me), so that I could remember.  I am FTM at 35wks today so to answer your question, I installed our carseat at 34wks. 
  • Our police station is doing them today (every two weeks) they did say to be sure they're installed because at their location they just inspect them. We're just hoping that actually see us. They said to come early because they can only guarantee they'll see the first 20.
  • rizzlig said:
    I've been given the suggestion by several people to take the car to a firehouse or police station and ask a fireman or cop to install the base, that they are supposed to be trained on car seat safety. Also to purchase a base for each car baby will travel in so that it is never removed.
    I would be cautious with this.  If you do this please call ahead and ask if they take appointments.  Also, read the instructions and install the seat yourself.  The Child Passenger Safety Technician *not all cops and firemen are CPST's) should not just install it for you.  A good one will check your install, give correction and show you how to install correctly if it is installed wrong.  It is not helpful for someone else to install the seat and the caregiver not know how because what if you DO need to move the seat.  Your car breaks down, you have to switch cars, etc.  

    The ones in our area do. And you're not dropping the car off and picking it up later. They install it with you watching and listening. I've also been warned against switching a base from one car to another, so once it's in, it's in. We are getting two extra bases-one for the husband's car and one to go with my parents. Each of which will not be removed until it's no longer needed. It takes more than reading a manual and having someone show me proper installation once to be trained in car seat safety. I tend to err on the side of caution no matter what the situation. :)

  • I browsed through some comments but didn't see what I was looking for do this might be a silly question. I haven't looked at my car's manual and have only skimmed the car seat manual.

    If my car seat can't be installed in the middle where is the next best position? Driver or passenger side of the backseat? I would think the driver side has easier access but the passenger side would be easier to keep an eye on. I'm 36 weeks today so I need to get my base installed so there's one less worry!
  • I browsed through some comments but didn't see what I was looking for do this might be a silly question. I haven't looked at my car's manual and have only skimmed the car seat manual.

    If my car seat can't be installed in the middle where is the next best position? Driver or passenger side of the backseat? I would think the driver side has easier access but the passenger side would be easier to keep an eye on. I'm 36 weeks today so I need to get my base installed so there's one less worry!

    There's a thread on car seat installation and a couple people mentioned the passenger side back seat. Reportedly it has lower likelihood of impact in a crash.

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  • aprosch said:
    Anyone can go to www.seatcheck.org  They have a lookup by zip code to find your local car seat inspection.  

    I looked up my current zip code and Safe Kids of NE FL does them at one of the hospitals and at Destination Maternity twice a month.  I also looked up my zip code from back home because I was pretty sure the police and/or fire dept do them there (it's a really small town) and it shows that as well.  So it looks like anywhere in the US can be searched for.
    I'd like to second this link and say thank you @aprosch for adding it. I searched on it tonight and found out there is an inspection event tomorrow near my house, so we'll be marking that off our to do list. 

    It also lists all the places that have certified techs, hours of availability, and contact info. Many of them require appointments or have only specific days available, so plan ahead!
  • I don't think I've seen this mentioned, possibly because my husband and I are the only two parents-to-be dumb enough not to think of this, but before you buy, make sure the seat fits in your car!
    Turns out my car has an uncommonly small back seat for an SUV crossover and my car seat is uncommonly large. It was a gift, so we didn't try it out ahead of time. Now we will either have to not use our front passenger seat for the next 2+ years or get a different car, which seems ridiculous. 
    I've heard the larger baby stores will let you try several models on your car before you buy, take advantage of it! 
  • LATXwoman said:

    I don't think I've seen this mentioned, possibly because my husband and I are the only two parents-to-be dumb enough not to think of this, but before you buy, make sure the seat fits in your car!

    Turns out my car has an uncommonly small back seat for an SUV crossover and my car seat is uncommonly large. It was a gift, so we didn't try it out ahead of time. Now we will either have to not use our front passenger seat for the next 2+ years or get a different car, which seems ridiculous. 
    I've heard the larger baby stores will let you try several models on your car before you buy, take advantage of it! 
    BuyBuyBaby and Babies R Us will both allow you to test out their display car seats in your back seat.

    Also, search for your make & model of vehicle online looking for car seat recommendations. You may be able to find a car seat that has shorter dimensions to better fit into your vehicle.
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  • You can use the belt in the center if your car/car seat doesn't allow latch borrowing. Whereever you can get a correct install is safest.
  • In regards to the "which side is safer in the back seat" question, I was told one isn't safer than the other. We just got the car seat installed two days ago and ours fits in the middle seat, but we asked out of curiosity, and that's the answer our technician gave us.
  • LATXwoman said:
    I don't think I've seen this mentioned, possibly because my husband and I are the only two parents-to-be dumb enough not to think of this, but before you buy, make sure the seat fits in your car!
    Turns out my car has an uncommonly small back seat for an SUV crossover and my car seat is uncommonly large. It was a gift, so we didn't try it out ahead of time. Now we will either have to not use our front passenger seat for the next 2+ years or get a different car, which seems ridiculous. 
    I've heard the larger baby stores will let you try several models on your car before you buy, take advantage of it! 
    I'm not sure where you are, but it's not allowed here to have children under 10 in the front seat...
  • I received a Graco Click Connect 30 travel system at my shower last weekend. I finally got my car cleaned out and installed the seat. I had no issues installing the base without any wiggle room. I went to click the actual car seat into the base and it clicks securely in like it's supposed to, but it wiggles side to side. The base doesn't move at all, the car seat literally wiggles around inside of the base. Has anyone else experienced this? I have a car seat instalation check on Monday but this is just going to stress me out until then:/
  • Feeling a bit frustrated right now. We installed our base and had it thoroughly inspected by a certified tech. However, I keep checking the bubble leveling feature on the base and it is all over the place on what I think are level surfaces. I'll call my car seat manufacturer to see what I might be doing wrong, but it's very annoying!
    image
  • I believe She means you need to move the passenger seat all the way forward to fit the car seat in the back.
  • Does anyone on here have the Cybex Aton q? I had a "certified tech" look at mine yesterday and he had no idea what to do with it and I'm like 90% sure he broke my base. Just had a question. Ugh.
  • CocoR04CocoR04 member
    edited September 2015
    trishee13 said:

    Does anyone on here have the Cybex Aton q? I had a "certified tech" look at mine yesterday and he had no idea what to do with it and I'm like 90% sure he broke my base. Just had a question. Ugh.

    @trishee13 we have an Aton Q! How did he break it?

    A lot of techs around here aren't used to installing euro-style seats with load legs, rebound bars, etc. That's why we are going back on Saturday to get a different tech to re-inspect the base. I'm also going to read the manual thoroughly again so I can correct anything that looks wrong. It scares me that techs aren't educated on all types of seats.

    We had a similar issue when we had DS's Clek foonf seat inspected and the guy was so intrigued by the seat (after saying he's never seen one before) that he read the entire manual before doing anything. Hoping to get that guy again!!
    image
  • @CocoR04 he had no clue how to work with it and I was trying to explain it to him and he's like "no you have to do it this way" then he kept telling me it was level but it was in the larger weight limit. Finally he's like "I've actually never seen one like this before"

    So he was trying to adjust the height of the recline angle thing on the back and instead of pushing in the orange clip thing, he just pushed down on it with all of his body weight until it clicked down. Now I can't get it to lock into any position and I'm wondering if he snapped something or if I am just doing something wrong. Ugh. You just pull the Orange clip in the back and adjust the height right?
  • @trishee13 we are actually having problems with the level ourselves. We are going to adjust the leveling feature before we get it checked out this weekend. The way it's installed right now makes the level go all over the place and not in the "safe" area.

    As far as I know, you squeeze the orange button on the part of the base that goes against the seat of the car and it looks easy to adjust. The tech definitely shouldn't have forced it! Ugh. Makes me so mad.
    image
  • LouislLouisl member
    edited September 2015
    trishee13 said:

    @CocoR04 he had no clue how to work with it and I was trying to explain it to him and he's like "no you have to do it this way" then he kept telling me it was level but it was in the larger weight limit. Finally he's like "I've actually never seen one like this before"

    So he was trying to adjust the height of the recline angle thing on the back and instead of pushing in the orange clip thing, he just pushed down on it with all of his body weight until it clicked down. Now I can't get it to lock into any position and I'm wondering if he snapped something or if I am just doing something wrong. Ugh. You just pull the Orange clip in the back and adjust the height right?

    We have this seat too. Thank god the California highway patrol officer who checked it looked it up online before messing with it. Sounds like they might owe you a new base! Those things aren't cheap. So annoying.
  • casey132 said:

    I received a Graco Click Connect 30 travel system at my shower last weekend. I finally got my car cleaned out and installed the seat. I had no issues installing the base without any wiggle room. I went to click the actual car seat into the base and it clicks securely in like it's supposed to, but it wiggles side to side. The base doesn't move at all, the car seat literally wiggles around inside of the base. Has anyone else experienced this? I have a car seat instalation check on Monday but this is just going to stress me out until then:/

    We've had the same question with our Graco click connect. I think as long as the base is secure (doesn't move more than an inch side to side) and the seat is clicked in good then it's secure. We will definitely have someone at the hopsital double check!
  • Mine does this too, I emailed Graco and its normal! As long as its securely clicked into the base wiggling is normal.
  • @shantyrae and @KPollard20 I went to the police station to have a safety check on the car seat and it is totally normal for the car seat to wiggle inside of the base! Make sure that the base doesn't move more than an inch each way (the less it wiggles though, the better) and then the car seat just clicks in and it will wiggle a little. The officer I talked to was saying it securely latched in and it only wiggles for convince to the parent, if it didn't wiggle it would be really hard to get on and off of the base.
  • @casey132 Thank you so much!
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