There is no argument. A car seat is necessary for the safety of your baby. As an infant, up to 22 lbs and 1 year of age, the baby rides in a rear-facing car seat so that if an accident does occur the baby doesn't suffer as much trauma to the spinal cord and neck area.
Rob and I installed the car seat and base into the car last week following the manufacturers instructions. We made sure everything was strapped down and that the seat couldn't possibly move an inch in any direction. We took turns crawling into the seat while the other person tightened the straps down even more.
Unfortunately, TV and all the baby magazines and websites stress the fact that despite the best of intentions, 95% of all car seats are installed incorrectly or not tight enough. What these publications fail to tell you, is where or how to get help with this problem.
I know that in past years I've heard of car seat clinics taking place where you can show up on the date and the fire department or police will inspect your car seat, but where are those clinics now? I decided to do some research.
I called the public health unit and after being passed around through various people I was put in contact with a gentleman who explained that they USED to inspect car seats but unfortunately no longer do. Although he does have a DVD that I may find helpful. Really? A DVD? If I don't feel entirely confident after installing it according to the manufacturers instructions how was watching a DVD going to help? I passed.
Next I called the local fire department and got a similar story. They used to do inspections, but no longer do. Following that, I called the local police department. Again, they couldn't help me.
Out of options, I contacted the instructor from our pre-natal classes thinking she might have a contact that I am unaware of. She called around to local businesses and finally got a hit with the OPP. They do still run car seat clinics, but they weren't sure when the next one was. They gave me a contact number for an officer out of a smaller community office. I have contacted her and am currently waiting for a call back.
You would think that with how important car-seat safety is there would be more public awareness on how to get help with installation. I'm a little disappointed that there seems to be little to no options available for soon-to-be parents. At this point I guess we just have to trust that we have installed it correctly and hopefully the officer from the community office will return my call and have a solution.
