Nothin’ But Net!
After a rather frustrating experience yesterday installing our carseat in our vehicle, I just wanted to share a very useful resource for asking questions and getting information about installing a carseat in a vehicle –
I registered on the forum early afternoon on Saturday, reposting an email I sent a local certified carseat installer that contained a bunch of questions/concerns we had as a result of installing our carseat. I was flabbergasted to check the forum several hours later to find I already had two very helpful, informative replies that specifically addressed my questions (which were specific to my particular make/model carseat and vehicle — 2003 Graco SnugRide & 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid FWD.)
Their responses were not only prompt but so helpful I now feel a lot better, and more prepared for when I take my vehicle and carseat to have a local certified installer check everything out. I had some (what turned out to be pretty basic) questions and it feels great to already have answers from certified carseat installers that specifically address my questions in regards to my vehicle and carseat combination.
Anyway, it’s a worthwhile site to bookmark for expectant parents or folks who haven’t installed a new carseat in several years (especially if you have a new/different car from your previous experience). Posts go into a moderation queue but are approved pretty quickly, so don’t get discouraged if you do post.
Of course, this is in addition to referring to your specific vehicle’s owner’s manual and your carseat’s owner’s manual, as well as BabyCenter’s Car Safety Forum, and if you choose, a local certified carseat installer.
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Jason Moore said,
March 5, 2007 @ 10:12 pm
I had a proud Daddy moment with that car seat. Karen’s Moms Club met at the local fire station for free cat seat installation inspections. My install was the only one that passed with flying colors!!!
MommaCat said,
March 6, 2007 @ 10:51 am
LOL! I think Tom III had a bit of a proud “almost-a-Grand-Dad” moment when he helped Shan with a little bit of the installation puzzle. We’ll have to wait and see what grade the certified installation inspector gives the Moore/Blackburn team:-)
Shannon said,
March 6, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
The only question now, it seems, is if a LATCH installation is permissable in the center/middle of the rear seat in our particular vehicle with that particular carseat. Center position is where we have the seat right now, using the LATCH installation method (which seems more secure than the seatbelt installation in that same seating position in my vehicle). However, there’s some lack of consensus between the various seat installers whom I’ve corresponded with on Car-Safety.org and the local certified child safety seat installer I’m corresponding with. Basically, we may have to move the seat to one of the outboard (right or left) positions if we want to use the LATCH installation method.
The seatbelt method works, but we weren’t happy with the movement of the seat and the slight angle the belt pulled it at, at least with our initial installation. We’ll go with whatever method and seating position provides the most secure installation.