Mother organizes car-seat check for Independence community

Incorrect installation of car seats pose safety hazards for children

By Brittany Gaines
| 11:27 a.m. February 17, 2017

West Orange Times & Observer
Neighborhood

WEST ORANGE Keeping children safe is one of the biggest concerns for parents, but car seats - particularly their installation - can be problematic.

That’s why Independence resident Danielle Pavone has organized a car-seat check. The event - open only to Independence residents - will take place March 9 at the clubhouse.

To organize the check, Pavone sought the assistance of licensed professional Carissa Johns.

“I’ve helped her with car seats in the past, but she got a new car seat and wanted to get things checked again,” said Johns who is an occupant protection specialist with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and assigned to the Children’s Safety Village. “Then she mentioned that a couple people in her neighborhood wanted to (have a car seat check).”

Although the Independence check isn’t open to the public, Johns said there are car-seat check events at least once a month throughout Orange County.

“Anytime there’s interest in the community and we can fulfill that request, we want to do it,” Johns said. “We know there’s such a high misuse rate that, for us, if we can help one child, we can make a difference.”

Car Seat Checklist

Right Seat. Check the label on your car seat to make sure it’s appropriate for your child’s age, weight and height. Like milk, your car seat has an expiration date. Just double check the label on your car seat to make sure it is still safe.
Right Place. Keep all children in a back seat until they are 13.
Right Direction. Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat until at least age 2. When he or she outgrows the seat, move your child to a forward-facing car seat and make sure to attach the top tether after you tighten and lock the seat belt or lower attachments (LATCH).
Inch Test. Once your car seat is installed, give it a good shake at the base. Can you move it more than an inch side-to-side or front-to-back? A properly installed seat will not move more than an inch.
Pinch Test. Make sure the harness is tightly buckled and coming from the correct slots (check car seat manual). Now, with the chest clip placed at armpit level, pinch the strap at your child’s shoulder. If you are unable to pinch any excess webbing, you’re good to go.

Johns estimates four out of every five car seats are installed and used incorrectly.

“A lot of people don’t realize that doing one little thing incorrect can make a huge difference in a crash,” she said.

And even though car seat checks are always in high demand, only licensed professionals have the authorization to verify the correct installation and use of a car seat. During a car seat check, the licensed professional will check harnesses and the parts of the seat, and also make sure there haven’t been any recalls.

“They observe the seat as it came in to identify potential misuse,” Johns said. “It’s an educational service - not an installation service. We want to have (parents) learn all the things they need to know so when they have to take the car seat out, they can put it back in correctly.”

Contact Brittany Gaines at [email protected].