“I’ve been using my baby’s car seat wrong her whole life.”
A mother posted this headline recently in a subreddit for new parents, r/beyondthebump. She realized she was putting the leg straps underneath her 5-month-old’s legs rather than over the thigh.
“The mom guilt is real right now,” she wrote. “The point of this post is, double check everything even if you’re sure you’re doing it correctly.”
This mother is not alone. Parents and caregivers everywhere struggle with car seat installation and proper use. Other online remarks from parents concerning car seats used words like “confusing,” “difficult,” and even, “installation nightmare.”
With over one hundred car seats in circulation, it’s no wonder things get confusing. Yet we know car seats are worth the hassle; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers.
So, what’s the solution to car seat confusion?
One option is a free car seat check.
What is a Child Passenger Safety car seat check?
Child Passenger Safety car seat checks are a free program that connects parents with Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST) and helps reduce car seat misuse. These technicians are trained and certified in proper car seat use—everything from LATCH system installation to booster seats. Parents and caregivers can schedule a free appointment with their local CPST, where they’ll receive customized instructions on their car seat setup.
“Child Passenger Safety Technicians undergo extensive training,” says Tabitha Smith, Program Manager for Occupant Protection in Idaho and former CPST. “It’s not something that’s taught in a couple-hour class. It’s three to four days long. So when we send people to technicians, they truly know what they’re talking about.”
The technicians can answer questions like:
- What kind of car seat should I use?
- How do I install my new car seat?
- Is my existing car seat installed correctly?
- How do I use the LATCH system?
- Am I strapping my child in the right way?
- Is my child ready to move into a new seat?
- I’m having issues with my current car seat. Can you help me?
- Has my car seat been recalled?
CPSTs take the time to listen to your frustrations and work through any questions. They’ll walk you through your car seat’s installation manual, know what to look for when examining the LATCH system, and can make the best recommendations on whether your child is ready to be forward-facing or move to a booster seat.
“We often start by listening and saying, ‘I can completely understand why you’re frustrated. Let’s learn about your car seat together,’” says Carma McKinnon, Child Passenger Safety Coordinator for Idaho. “Sometimes, parents just need that affirmation that they’re doing it correctly.”
Carma has been helping parents keep their kids safe for 30 years—one car seat at a time. She started as a CPST and grew to love the work of supporting parents and keeping kids safe.
“The bottom line is always about helping that parent. Once you’ve done your job, you can turn around and say, ‘I helped somebody, and that little one’s going to be safe,’” she says.
Idaho has 80 inspection sites statewide. CPSTs often meet at public service places like fire stations, police stations, or hospitals. However, please note that this varies by region. It’s best to double-check where your CPST is located before showing up.
Find your local Child Passenger Safety Technician site and contact information on this map.
"Parents want to make sure their kids are transported safely and correctly. That’s why we're here."
What can I expect at a Child Passenger Safety car seat check?
Here’s what to expect when you call your local Child Passenger Safety Technician:
Pre-Visit Phone Call
First, the CPST will walk you through a “pre-visit phone call.” These calls allow them to do any extra research beforehand.
“Maybe they bought a Costco all-in-one car seat. There’s a lot to learn there. Or maybe it’s a frustrated grandparent that can’t quite make all the pieces and parts work,” McKinnon says.
“We learn as much as we can in the pre-visit phone call, so our technicians can go online and learn more about that specific car seat.”
Plan for an Hour-Long Appointment
A Child Passenger Safety car seat check typically lasts between 20 minutes and an hour. However, it also depends on how many car seats and questions to cover.
“We prepare to spend as much time as needed with the parent,” McKinnon says. “They want to make sure their kids are transported safely and correctly—that’s why we’re here.”
53 Questions
Once at the appointment, the CPST will walk you through 53 questions. The questions fall into three categories:
Child information
The checklist includes documenting the child’s location in the vehicle and how it is secured. The only personal information we request is the child’s age, height, and weight to determine the best car seat for the child.
Child Passenger Safety Findings on Arrival
Upon arrival, the CPST will record their findings, such as the seat belt and tether position, and whether features such as the carry handle and anti-rebound bar are being used correctly. They’ll then run through questions about the car seat, such as, “Do you know the history of this seat?” and “Is this car seat FMVSS 213 approved?”
On Departure
Once you’ve walked together through the installation and car seat use and corrected any misuse, the CPST will again walk through the same questions and record the updates. You’ll note any difficulties encountered, such as seat belt or recline angle issues. The parent or caregiver will sign off at the end, confirming, “I installed my car seat today.” You did it!
Watch and Learn
Throughout the process, the goal of the CPST is to educate so that you, as a parent or caregiver, can retain the information and harness your child correctly.
“The parent always does the final click,” McKinnon says. “We do our best to teach them as we go so they can do it themselves in the future.”
Car seat confused parents—you’re not alone.
After the mother made her post on Reddit, other parents chimed in to sympathize. The comments are filled with advice, humor, and expressions of “Me, too!”
“Let that mom guilt wash away. We’ve all made mistakes,” another sympathetic parent commented. “No one got hurt so we live and we learn. But one piece of advice for new moms: look up your local car seat tech.”
We agree! 🙂
In addition to scheduling a free car seat check, McKinnon offers a few pointers:
- If you have questions about your particular make and model of car seat, stick with the manufacturer to get the most accurate information. The manufacturer will often have videos and instructions they can send you.
- Before purchasing, make sure your car seat is not expired or recalled. Don’t buy a used car seat if you don’t know the history. You can check for recalls here.
- When it comes to the harness system, remember: if the car seat is rear-facing, the harness system has to be at or below the child’s shoulders. With forward-facing car seats, it should be at or above the child’s shoulders.
Car seats are complicated. They’re frustrating. And sometimes, we don’t get it right. But take heart! You’re not alone as a parent—there are resources for you.
Book a car seat check with your local Child Passenger Safety Technician today, HERE.
Interested in becoming a Child Passenger Safety Technician? We’d love to have you join the volunteer network dedicated to keeping kids safe. Learn more, here.
