Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

I've read and heard that upwards of 90% of baby/child seats are installed incorrectly so we wanted to get them checked.

What a nightmare!!! For three weeks we called every police precinct and center given to us by our hospital, BRU, and the National Safety Transportation Board. Either no one got back to us, they no longer check them, or their next check is weeks away.

Finally, I waddle into the 2nd precinct (Suffolk County) last weekend and leave a message for the designated officer in charge.

Well, she called us back within 24 hours and offered to come to our house.

Last night she spent about 45 minutes installing both seats correctly. She even went back to the precinct to get a piece of one of those pool noodles to properly level the seat. This is important so they are sitting properly as not to construct the baby's airway.

She actually got into the back seat, put her knee on the base, pushed the base down into the seat and adjusted and readjusted the seatbelt so it would be perfect.

She said she needed to take a WEEK LONG CLASS to be certified and of the seats she checks, RARELY is one installed properly... maybe one in 30

She also said the most dangerous things to children in an accident are other things flying around the inside of the car so no back seat mirrors, no pull down sunshades, no toy bars attached to the seats or anything else that might come loose and hurt the child.

She told us to come back once the babies were born and she'd recheck them with the babies inside the seats.

It was such a relief to know that they are solidly in there. to that officer in Suffolk's 2nd precinct!!!

Please get your baby/child seats professionally checked.

Re: Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

I am def. getting the carseat professionally installed. When I was babysitting my friends baby a few weeks ago his car base was all over the place. I was so paranoid that I didn't want to drive the kid anywhere. I think it is so important to have it done right!!!

Re: Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

That is awesome!!!!

Re: Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

Good for you!!!! I work at a hospital and one of our NICU nurses is a Certified Car Seat installer. She volunteers every other weekend and goes to Car dealerships and Police Precincts to educate people. She has quite a few magazine write ups. My sister has a 5 month old and when he came to visit, she noticed he was wearing a winter coat. She almost had a heart attack and explained to my sister that the winter coats get in the way of securing the baby properly. It was a real eye opener.

Re: Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

That was super nice of her.

I planned on having our seats (both for DH's car and mine) checked to make sure they are properly installed.

Re: Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

I didn't even know Certified Car Seat installers existed. Thanks for posting!

Re: Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

Thank you for posting. It's so easy to get help up in Rochester, but down here it's impossible. I'm so surprised that it's so hard on LI.

Re: Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

I'm definitely going to have to get her number from you in a month or two!!

Re: Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

Thanks for posting this. I had no idea there were people who specialized in this. We're definitely going to get our car seats checked!

Re: Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

Re: Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

Theresa - what town is the 2nd precinct in? I am asking for my friend who lives out there.

Re: Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

Message edited 2/22/2007 3:32:38 PM.

Re: Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

Re: Baby Seat Installation Check- SCPD Rave!!!

Thanks for the info, that is my precinct and i will definitely be calling