Installing a car seat/Question...

W

wendymin72

Cathlete
In many New Jersey towns, they have this new thing where you can go to your local police dept and have them install your baby's car seat for you or atleast check that you did it right before you put your baby in it to make sure that it is safe. I mentioned this to my DH thinking it was a good thing to do...he thinks it's a waste of time and that the cops won't do any better or safer of a job than he would.

What do you ladies think? Is he being a man with an ego or do you think he is right? I can not decide.

Thanks.

~Wendy~

I smoked my last cigarette on March 17, 2004 at 10:00 pm!

http://lilypie.com/days/050519/1/0/1/-5/.png[/img]
EDD: 05/19/05
 
The police & fire depts in our area do the same thing. They are actually very qualified and know how they should be installed. If I'm not mistaken I think they get some kind of training in my area. I heard a policemen say that you would be surprised the number of car seats that are not buckled in right. Why not let DH buckle it in and then go, without him, to the police dept to let them check it out. It only takes a few minutes. Then it won't be a waste of DH's time, but at least you will have the piece of mind that it is installed correctly. What could it hurt?
 
I agree with you, Kristi...I think DH is just being a "MAN"! lol

~Wendy~

I smoked my last cigarette on March 17, 2004 at 10:00 pm!

http://lilypie.com/days/050519/1/0/1/-5/.png[/img]
EDD: 05/19/05
 
Also if you ever get in an accident with the carseat in it, they can check the seat afterwards too. Even though the seat may look alright sometimes something may happen internally in the carseat, such as the shoulder harness not remaining tight enough, etc., that could cause the baby harm later on if in another accident. Just a side note.
 
Hate to say this, but I agree that your man is on an ego trip. That is okay, though, my DH hasn't ever NOT had one. ;)
There was a staistic out a few years ago that different police/fire departments submitted from all around the country and only 15% of all parents had the seats belted in correctly. 15%! It wouldn't be a bad idea to get stats from online that show how easy it is to buckle incorrectly.
 
I agree with the group, Wendy. Let DH install it, then go to the fire/police dept and get it double checked. You might be surprised how tight they install these things; I'll bet most parents don't put them in that tightly on their own. I brought my carseat for DD#1 to be checked at the fire dept. It took 5 minutes, and gave me peace of mind.

Cheers,
Sandra
 
At DS's daycare last year, there was a group there checking carseats. I knew mine had been installed correctly, but just to be sure I had them check DS's anyway. DH and I had buckled in the carseat as tight as we could but it still jiggled a little, maybe 1/2 inch. It was truly amazing how much they had to pull and tug and manuever around the carseat to get it very tight and secure. They said that the seat should not move at all when it is securely fastened.
 
After having the Ambulance garage install my last car seat, I would NEVER install my own again. Talk about a professional job!!! The guy basically got into the car seat himself and tightened it like there was no tomorrow. A+ job. Definitely a lot different than the car seat installation I had with my first child!!

**Melanie**
Justin born 1/17/04
Jory born 4/9/94

 
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