Submitted by First time dad (not verified) on July 6, 2008 - 9:04am.
We took our seat to a fire house and they told us they no longer help install them but did give us a few websites (we are in Texas) where we were able to set up an appointment for a 'seat inspection'. A vehicle homicide agent helped us install our convertible seat (he took a 40 hour instruction course) and told us that the middle was the safest regardless of whether we used the latch system or our vehicle belts, but I did not ask why. Other useful info he gave us:
1. Make sure the seat does not move back and forth or side to side any more than an inch at MOST. Test it at the LAP BELT.
2. Do not use those mirrors they sell because in an accident they can come loose and smack your kid in the face and/or chard. He said he has seen too much of that.
3. Keep your car clean. In the event of an accident any loose debris will fly around at top speed (70 mph +). Keep diaper bags and other essentials in the trunk. If you want your baby to have toys that's fine... just SOFT ones (stuffed animals, etc).
4. The fewer the accessories the better (inserts, etc.) They have not been crash tested, unless it is something that came with the seat. If your baby needs additional support it is best to use blankets and such (just roll them up and place around baby AFTER baby has been secured).
in the middle
We took our seat to a fire house and they told us they no longer help install them but did give us a few websites (we are in Texas) where we were able to set up an appointment for a 'seat inspection'. A vehicle homicide agent helped us install our convertible seat (he took a 40 hour instruction course) and told us that the middle was the safest regardless of whether we used the latch system or our vehicle belts, but I did not ask why. Other useful info he gave us:
1. Make sure the seat does not move back and forth or side to side any more than an inch at MOST. Test it at the LAP BELT.
2. Do not use those mirrors they sell because in an accident they can come loose and smack your kid in the face and/or chard. He said he has seen too much of that.
3. Keep your car clean. In the event of an accident any loose debris will fly around at top speed (70 mph +). Keep diaper bags and other essentials in the trunk. If you want your baby to have toys that's fine... just SOFT ones (stuffed animals, etc).
4. The fewer the accessories the better (inserts, etc.) They have not been crash tested, unless it is something that came with the seat. If your baby needs additional support it is best to use blankets and such (just roll them up and place around baby AFTER baby has been secured).