Get Your Seat Checked..

After attending our first Labor and Delivery Class last Saturday and then Breastfeeding class this past Wednesday, I have heard more than enough times now that 80% of car seats are installed wrong.. I had been watching Fox and Friends a few weeks ago when they did a segment that the safest seat in the car was in the middle. Greg installed our car seat on Sunday afternoon, and let's just say it wasn't as easy as some may think. Our car especially was difficult because the owner manual was a bit confusing on which seats could latch etc.  After numerous Google searches we came to the conclusion that on our LR4, you aren't able to put the infant seat in the middle seat using the latch system.

I had researched a website that instructed you on nearby institutions in which you could get your carseat checked. Luckily, the Birmingham Fire Station is right around the corner for us, and I was able to make an appointment for this Friday.

Showed up at the Birmingham Fire Station to be greeted by a Channing Tatum look alike (I wish I would have a taken a picture )fire fighter named Alan who would be checking my car seat.. I'm pretty sure I was blushing and thinking to myself maybe I should bring Greg's car up here next week :). It was a great experience, Alan first gave Greg a thumbs up on his car seat install and then proceeded to adjust a few things. He did verify on his manual that with our Peg Prego carseat it's recommended that the infant seat be on the latch system and therefore must not be placed in the middle seat in our car. He spent an hour with me going over the car seat, ways to adjust the seat etc. He also instructed me to bring a doll or stuffed animal to go over the features of the car seat and how it is suppose to fit on the baby. I did learn that it is not recommended that you have a seat cover on the seat, however he did tell me that it is up to the discretion of the parents, and he said more than half keep the cover for the seat on there. I decided to keep the cover underneath the carseat, as I was the bright one who choose tan leather interior :).

I must admit it was very informative and I learned a lot and feel much more prepared when it comes to our carseat. I highly recommend parents getting their carseat checked for reassurance and it was a great learning lesson. Plus, if your local firefighters looked anything like ours, it will be well worth your trip :)!


Here are a couple of pics of our approved carseat. (Excuse the lighting, I took the pictures in the garage.)

I have provided the link below for you to be able to look up the closest institution that does carseat checks near you:
Carseat Inspection Link

Have a great weekend!
JNK