My husband and I are about to install a carseat for the first time. They told us at the hospital (National Naval Medical Center-Bethesda) that we should have it "checked" before we try to bring baby home in it from the hospital as they will also check it. Does anyone know of a police station, fire station, etc. in the Falls Church area that we could take it to be "pre-checked"???
Hello!
There is a car seat inspector - Mark Bergin, www.alexandriacares.com, that will do it, he's just hard to schedule. His phone number is on the site, and he only does inspections a couple of days a week (it's not his full-time job), so I'd recommend calling as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.
Good Luck!
D.
I am a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician - which basically means I completed the same car seat training as the police officers. In Fairfax County, it is the police department and not the fire department that checks seats. Each district station sets their own schedule for conducting checks. The station closest to you - Mason District - no longer conducts checks. I would suggest contacting one of the other stations (my personal favorites are Sully and Fair Oaks) - you can get contact information for these stations at this link - http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/contacts_stations.htm - You may also want to contact the Sheriff's Department at ###-###-####. There was an inspection event at the Chantilly Babies R Us last Friday, so I wouldn't expect another one until April. I strongly recommend that you have the seat checked. Those of us who check car seats on a regular basis report a 80-90% misuse rate. The instructions can be difficult to understand. Also, every car and car seat are different.
Good luck to you-
Try http://pediatrics.about.com/library/car_seats/bl_carseat_...
I typed in my zip code and it gave me a variety of locations. You can also call your local police department (non-emergency line) and ask them for advice. I had mine done and it was a real comfort. They say most carseats are incorrectly installed and you want your baby to be safe. It seems simple to install, but the details that you miss are important.
Have a happy and safe birth!
If you call the local fire department they could give you the info, or schedule a time. As a friend told me, not all firefighters are trained to check, so don't just show up. Also you could check your counties website. Sometimes the hospitals and car dealerships will hold safety checks wherein you can just drive up.
Also, the base of the infant seat should generally remain as is in the car so you'll need an infant base for each car. (don't forget the grandparents, in-home babysitter, etc. too!)
Congratulations!
M.
if you live in fairfax county, here is a number to call. this number ###-###-#### lists public events and fairfax county events. they also offer public events where everyone (not just fairfax county residents) can have their seat checked.
in alexandria, there is alexandria cares ###-###-####.
congratulations!
K.:
Hello and good morning! First of all - thank you to your husband for his service and sacrifices to our country - much appreciated!
Installing a car seat for the first time can be daunting. If you call the non-emergency number and ask if your local police or fire station does the car seat check.
Depending on the car you have - do you have one that is permanent or removable? Permanent is really good - just tough for the first six months because you can't take the car seat with you when you get out of the car. Permanent, Use your knee and lean/press (it's okay to use your full weight!) the seat into the vehicle seat/bench. Pull the belt through and lock it in place. Pull the belt tight and ensure it locks. The car seat should NOT move - tilt, etc.
If you have the removable car seat - just install the base (just like above). Again it should NOT move in any way.
Oh yeah - you can contact your local Babies R Us and find out when their next car seat safety check is. If they don't have one in the next week or two, ask them where you can go as well. Sheriff's departments will know as well.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Good luck! May you have many happy memories!
Cheryl
Try calling babies-r-us...sometimes they have a carseat checker come in. When I had a baby in 2005, I know some of the area police/fire stations no longer did seat checks. It's really not that hard to do on your own, esp. if you have latch in your car.
Hi K. - congratulations, you're in the home stretch!
In Fairfax County, the police stations are the place to go to have the installation of your car seat checked. In Falls Church, it might be either your fire station or police station. Many of them do it on set days in a month or by appointment, so it is a good idea to call your local station and ask - asap, since you're due in 3 weeks. = )
Good luck!
Hi K.,
Congratulations on the baby! You baby is due the day after I turn 30.
You have to make an appointment to have the car seat installed. If you call your local fire station. They will give you the info.
My husband thought he could just drive to the fire station and they would do it for him. They sent him away. Told him to call and make an appointment.
Hope this helps!
Don't know of one specifically. But my husband and I just stopped at one randomly in Reston and they checked it for us. Best bet is that you can do the same. The other suggestion if you don't want to show up unannounced, is to look in the phone book for the local station and call them. I know some stations have special days that they do it or there are certain stations that specialize in it. But as I said, worst case scenario you can stop any where and they will help. They aren't going to turn you away - especially if you are there belly and all!
Good luck!
As long as your carseat is a good brand, and designed for the age of your child, I don't really see the need to have it checked out. If your child is an infant, it is important to have the kind that allows the child to recline (full head support), and that turns the child around so that it is not facing forward in the car, but "backward". It must be strapped with the seat belt, and the child strapped into the carseat itself. Hope this helps!
I know that if you call your fire station they should be able to help. I've used the station in Sterling (off of Sterling Blvd) as well as the station house in Cascades (off Cascades pkwy). They sometimes have days and hours, but each time I've gone they are great and will install it or check it for you. Plus they make sure there is no recall or anything!
Good luck
