About 12 years ago when my older grandchildren were babies, I went to the Roseville, Michigan Fire Department to make sure I had their car seats installed correctly. I’m glad I did, because there were a few things I didn’t have exactly right!
So now, with four year old Olivia, still in a child car seat, I thought I’d go for a refresher course – just to make sure. First I went to the Macomb County Health Department in Saint Clair Shores, which is where the Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) are located. I also went back to the Roseville Fire Department, where Firefighter Joe and Firefighter Mike are CPSTs. The CPST certification course is very thorough and these technicians know a lot of things that we may miss or not be aware of. Needless to say, there is extensive education and training involved in becoming a firefighter, but is being extremely good looking also a requirement??? Hey, I’m just saying! Anyway, back to business.
Here are a few things I learned:
The standardized child passenger safety technician (CPST) certification course is usually 3-4 days long and combines classroom instruction, hands-on work with car seats and vehicles, and a community safety seat checkup. Attendance is required for the entire course. Courses are from 3 to 5 days, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., depending on the instructor. The fee is about $50 – $95.
Obviously, it’s best to have the child with you when being fitted for what type of car seat is best for the child. But if that’s not possible, make sure you know the child’s height and weight.
Why do child car seats have an expiration date? The cold and hot weather over a period of time may affect the materials the seat is made of.
Why should you not buy a child car seat at a garage sale? You don’t know whether or not it’s been in an accident.
The website that the Macomb County Health Department CPSTs recommended is www.safekids.org.
MORE LITTLE HELPERS
Child Passenger Safety Law
