Car Seat Installation Near Me

Car seat safety is a top concern for many parents. However, car seats are only effective if they’re installed correctly in your vehicle and used properly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), improperly used child safety seats account for more unintentional deaths than any other childhood illness. This is why there are car seat inspection stations in place to offer assistance and guidance.

It used to be that you could go to your local firehouse and have a volunteer firefighter install or check out your car seat for free. However, this is not always the case anymore and it’s not even possible to rely on every fire department for this service. This is why we’re happy to report that there are now plenty of other places you can visit for a free car seat installation near me.

A certified car seat technician can help you install your car seat and show you how to use it correctly, ensuring that it’s in your vehicle the correct way and meets all the required guidelines for its age and size. They can also advise you on your car’s seating position and how to determine if there’s enough room in the back seat for your child. They’ll also review your car seat manufacturer’s instructions and vehicle owner’s manual, which should be followed at all times. You’ll need to bring the car seat, its instruction manual and your vehicle’s manual with you for your appointment.

They’ll sit your child in the seat and measure the distance between the harness slots and the shoulder (rear-facing only), or where the belt slot is above the shoulders (forward-facing). If you have a top tether on your car seat, they’ll make sure it’s attached properly. This can reduce seat movement during a crash and prevent head injuries in the event of a frontal collision, especially when your child is rear-facing.

Our car seat inspectors are certified by the NHTSA. Our testers are parents, including Bob West, who has more car seat and installation experience than anyone on the planet. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Reviews Editor and mom of two, joins him in scoring and hands-on testing, while Abriah Wofford provides another set of eyes with her years of experience. They also collaborate with a network of local volunteers to provide this valuable service. We thank them for their hard work and dedication. Donations are accepted to help keep the program running, but they’re not required. You can schedule a visit at the NHTSA’s website or call to check availability.