Skagit County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) now offers FREE car seat checks by appointment! This no-cost service is an exciting offering for local caregivers, parents, and grandparents who routinely transport young children.
Depending on the car seat and vehicle, this one-on-one educational opportunity typically takes 20-30 minutes. The certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician will not only install the car seat—they are trained to teach you how to install a car seat correctly! The technician will take all the time you need until you feel comfortable that your car seat is used and installed correctly.) and then send them to the blog post to read more and find the links.
Before the Car Seat Checkup
- Be prepared to learn, not just watch the Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician install the car seat. They’re trained to teach you.
- Know your child’s current weight and height.
- Using the car seat instruction manual and the vehicle owner’s manual, try to install the car seat into your vehicle before your appointment.
- Tip! Check the index of your vehicle owner’s manual for “child safety seats.”
- Be sure to bring the car seat instruction manual AND the vehicle owner’s manual to your appointment.
- If possible, bring your child and another caregiver to help while you are learning.
- Be prepared to learn. The CPS Technician is trained to educate you to install and use your car seat properly in your vehicle.
After the Car Seat Checkup
A car seat checkup is considered a success if you can answer yes to the following questions:
- Did you perform the installation?
- Do you feel confident about installing and using the car seat correctly?
- Were your questions answered? If not, were you given directions on whom to contact, or will the CPS Technician follow up with you?