So you’re a CPST now, congratulations! For most technicians, the first year or so is really about getting your feet wet. You’re getting the hang of working with parents and understanding different seats and vehicles. Once the initial class is complete, recertification can seem to be a ways down the road; until all of a sudden it’s two months before the expiration date and an email pops up reminding you to recertify.
Graco has issued a recall for the Turbobooster manufactured from December 22, 2015 to April 5, 2016. This is not a life-safety recall. You may continue to use your seat. The manual omitted the required directive to secure the seat when unoccupied to prevent it becoming a projectile.
The CruiserFix Pro is a belt positioning booster that includes a variety of features that I would not have thought to include on a booster — adjustable thigh support, adjustable sidewings, rigid lower anchors, and shock absorbers. Those features contribute to the awards that this seat has won.
Meet our little model. Her parents are putting her in the Graco SnugRide 35 Click Connect that her older brother used. They made sure that it hadn’t expired, they cleaned it according to the instructions in the manual, they verified that they had replaced the buckle in the Graco recall, and they moved the straps down to the lowest slot. But now when they tighten the harness around her, there’s some slack even when they pull it as tight as it can go. What went wrong?
The Baby Trend Secure Snap Gear 32 is an exclusive new rear facing only car seat only available at Target. We’re excited to see how it stacks up against their other rear facing only car seats. CSFTL Quick Stats Weight range: 5-32 pounds Height range: <32″ Shell height: 18″ (top of adjustable back in the
In recent months we have welcomed two new seats from Safety 1st: the Grow and Go, and the Advance EX 65 Air +. Both of these seats are innovative: the Grow and Go replaced the widely panned Alpha Omega with a seat that functions well in all three modes (rear facing, forward facing, and booster), and the Advance Ex 65 is a truly long lasting seat with generous rear facing maximums of 50 lbs and 49″.
It’s inevitable: having Littles in the car often leads to lots of stuff in the car, and as every parent knows, it seems to multiply. The issue of projectiles small and large is so prevalent that the standard car seat check form includes a box to tick for discussing projectiles with parents and caregivers.
Unfortunately, in a crash, all of this stuff can instantly become airborne. We have to take this stuff in the car, so let’s look at the best way to stow all the gear in a way that minimizes the risk.
Families going on long trips with small children will often consider a class of vehicle called a Recreational Vehicle or RV for transport, rather than dealing with a cramped smaller car and hotels along the way.
The face value appeal is obvious. RVs allow a certain amount of freedom in destinations, are potentially more comfortable than a car, and make packing easy. Unfortunately, RVs present a unique set of safety challenges for adults traveling with children that may not be readily apparent.
By now, it is hopefully common knowledge that children should face the rear of the vehicle for at least 2 years, but eventually kids do need to forward face.
Have you had your car seat checked?
As much as the technicians at CSFTL.org help people online every day, it is always a good idea to have an in-person carseat check done on your car seats. Nothing can replace working with a CPST and learning hands-on how to use your own seats in your own car properly.
