Is your child's carseat installed correctly?
By Sillychick
@Sillychick (3275)
United States
December 4, 2007 2:58pm CST
Recently there was a carseat safety check near me, so I went to make sure my son's carseat was installed correctly. While I was there I learned that 80% of carseats are not installed correctly, and that compromises the safety of the child. They taught me how to do it, and it is not easy. I won't be taking it out of the car very often, so we should be good for a while. Have you had your child's carseat installed correctly, by a person who has been trained? Do you think it makes that big of a difference?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@kangel48446 (507)
• United States
4 Dec 07
I do think that it makes a difference because if it's not installed correctly, it is not going to protect our little ones. Both of my car seats were installed by an individual who was licensed by the state. Thankfully, I don't need to remove any of it because it was a pain to do with the lady and I don't plan on doing it myself anytime soon!
1 person likes this
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
4 Dec 07
It is definitely easier with two people. Better to leave in the car.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
4 Dec 07
I haven't been to one of those things to have it checked. Was what they showed you drastically different from what you were doing? I read the instructions from my carseat and I think/hope that I have it right.
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@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
4 Dec 07
If you tug on the carseat and it moves- the bottom part where the seatbelt is- it is not in correctly. You have to put your knees in the seat and push down with all your strength while pulling to tighten the seatbelt. It is easier with two people. Check with your pediatrician's office, they may be able to tell you where to go to have it checked.
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
5 Dec 07
My old neighbor was a firefighter, so he was trained to do it right. He showed my husband how to do it and helped him put it in when we first put him in a convertible seat. My husband switched it to forward facing by himself, but I'm pretty sure it's in there right.
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@luvstochat (6907)
• United States
5 Dec 07
I took my daughter to one of those car seat safety checks they put the straps on her so tight it left red marks on her skin! I loosened them a little bit.
She is 4 now and rides in a booster seat with the seatbelt from the car.
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