Barksdale offers certified car seat installers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  In a 2012 inspection conducted on Barksdale Air Force Base, 80 percent of car seats were improperly installed, meaning that families were unknowingly putting their loved ones at risk.

Car seats that are properly installed can reduce the risk of injury in the event of an automobile incident, and Barksdale has certified personnel who can assist with proper installation.

"A certified car seat inspector can perform safety checks to make sure installation of the car seats is correct," said Russell Cook, 2nd Medical Group family advocacy outreach manager.

Step-by-step, a certified inspector checks many features of the car seat.

"When we perform an inspection, we go through a checklist and make sure the car seat is at the proper angle, that it won't move more than one inch in any direction and make sure the harness is in the proper place," said Charlotte Hikes, Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness technician, who is also certified. "We also have to make sure that if it's an infant, the seat is rear-facing."

The different aspects of car seat installation aren't just about following the right steps, but considering the individual child's needs and using the proper seat.

"You also have to consider the age and weight of the child, and whether the car seat will fit them," Cook said.

With many things to consider, some parents have trouble installing a car seat on their own. Fortunately, resources are available to assist parents.

Certified inspectors here are available to provide guidance on proper installation methods, and for those who may have physical difficulty maneuvering, such as the elderly or expectant mothers, the inspectors may install the car seat personally.

For those who wish to seek help from home, the A&FRC also advises using the NHTSA website.

"The [NHTSA website] also has recall information," Hikes said. "You can put your child's car seat model number into the website and it will show you if the car seat has been recalled. You can also go to www.safecar.gov and watch a video of how to install a car seat and it will give you guidelines on child restraints."

With resources available, parents can better keep their children safe while on the roads.

For more information, contact the A&FRC at 456-8400 or Family Advocacy at 456-6595.