Fall is a good time to get ready for the long haul and the best time to make sure your existing car seat gets a tune-up. A few survival hints; do this when you’re not in a hurry, park your car in a shady spot and make it fun!
- Check that your seat is still within the manufacturer’s recommended height and weight range for your child and that the seat has not expired?
- Observe your child in their seat. Are the harness straps at or below shoulders (rear facing) above shoulders (forward facing), are the harness straps snug, is the harness retainer clip at armpit level, is the harness free of tears and twists.
- If you need to readjust, uninstall the seat and adjust the seat to fit your child. Use the child seat owner’s manual, it’s a great help. If you have an older vehicle, early 2000’s, find the pages in your car’s owner’s manual to help with installation.
- Install a “Kid’s Emergency I.D. Sticker” on the bottom of your seat. It provides rapid identification in case of an emergency.
- Shake out the cheerios or maybe a good time to give it a wash and reinstall.
The Colorado Passenger Safety Law explains the required age, restraint type and weight and height requirement for child safety car seats in Colorado.
Colorado has an active car seat safety community. There are many online resources and a number of car seat Inspection Stations to instruct you and check that you have installed your seat correctly. Inspection Stations require that you bring both the car seat manual and your automobile owner’s manual to your appointment. Some Inspection Stations may provide replacement car sets to parents needing financial help.
What do you do with that expired or unwanted seat? You don’t want to throw it in the garbage. You’d like to find a place that recycles them. Look no further, bring it here! We ask for a $3 donation to give to the company that disassembles the seat for disposal. You can drop your seat M-F 7:30 to 5:30.
If you have any questions relating to safety child seats, please contact us. We are glad to help.
