Car Seat Installation Tips

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Car Seat Installation Tips
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I cant help it, whenever I get into a customers
vehicle for a test drive and there is a car seat
in the back I instinctively grab it and give it a
wiggle testand I test drive a lot of cars, 5 per
day 260 work days per year 1300 per year give
or take a few and out of that 1300 at least 30
have car seats in them.  
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That brings me to approximately 390 wiggle tests
per year so how many pass the Lou Wiggle Test
maybe 40.   That number still shocks me.  I
use to approach the failing customer and kindly,
gently ask them if they would like assistance to
correct their car seat, but now I rarely do.
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Ive been told off by a few fathers mind my own
business and just fix their carSo now I try to
work with St John Ambulance at least once a year
and  host a car seat installation clinic using
the wonderful volunteers from St John Ambulance.
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I am a registered car seat tech with them so it
gives me a day to brush up and  catch up on the
latest car seat scuttle butt.So here are some
facts and install tips from St John Ambulance to
help you figure out if you are in the pass
group.
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In Canada, every year 30 children between the age
of 0-4 are killed in vehicle crashes, an
additional 2866 are injured.  There is
statistical evidence that shows that proper car
seat use decreases the likelihood of injury by
70 and fatality by 90.  
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The St John ambulance training guide also states
that less than 10 of car seats are installed
correctly.  I figure my clients are at 40
because I have personally installed hundreds of
their car seats.
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0-20lbs (9kg) Rear facing this is a minimum
defined by Transport Canada.. In reality keeping
your child rear facing at least to 22 lb (10kg)
and the ability to walk should be the minimum.
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20 65lbs (9 30kg) Forward Facing when the
child has the ability to walk and meets the
minimum weight requirements.   The tether strap
must be installed when forward facing.
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40 80 lbs (18-36kg) Boosters vehicle seat
belts do not sit properly over the pelvis,
abdomen and shoulder of children at this stage
without the use of a properly fitted booster.  40
lbs is a minimum and if your child is not large
enough to fit properly in a booster you can keep
them in their car seat.
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Check your cars seat owners manual for exact
weight limitation.gt80lbs (36kg) Seat Belts
congrats you might be ready to get rid of the
booster.  Check to make sure the seat belt rides
over the abdomen and shoulder correctly paying
particular attention that it does not sit across
the childs face.
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Car seats cannot be in the front seat of a
vehicle equipped with a SRS air bag system unless
the vehicle has the ability to defeat (turn off)
the passenger air bag system.The safest place
for your child is the rear centre posistion.
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Your car seat may have a recall, please check it
at the manufactures web site.Your car seat has
an expire date stamped on it if you cant find
it that means its really old and shouldnt be
used also dont buy used seats unless you know
the previous owners really well and the seat has
not been in involved in an accident.
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Hell dont be cheap, your kid deserves a new seat
more than you deserve a new flat screen TV or
Ipod.My wiggle test consists of this
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The car seat is to have absolutely no movement
forward/backwards, and I mean no movement.  When
Im tightening a car seat I kneel in and put my
full weight into it so as to make it as tight as
humanly possible. You want the seat to be as
tight  as if it came manufactured there.  Side to
side movement should be no more than 1 inch.
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Hope this helps if all else fails read the
owners manual  If you are  still unsure come to
one of St John days or if you cant make that
call us and schedule an appointment with me and
Ill check it for you
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disclamer the above is generalized info that
I have condensed to fit into this small blog Do
your own research as well.http//allaboutimports
.com/