How to have a car seat inspection done in Indiana

EIGHTY-FIVE PERCENT of car seats are not installed properly in the United States. 85% of parents are driving their children around assuming that they are same and protected when they are not. In Indiana, it is simple to get a car seat inspection done to find out if you are one of the 85% who's children are not properly restrained.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An appointment with a car seat expert (this is always free, thanks to Safe Kids Indiana)
• A car seat
• A car
• A child you love enough to take the time to do this!

1. Understand the risks. Children under four are more likely to die in a car crash even if the other passengers are not harmed. Last year 300,000 children were injured or died in car crashes and almost all of those deaths and injuries were traced back to a car seat that was improperly installed! If you still aren't convinced, check my resources for one mom's story of tragedy.

2. Find a location to have your car seat inspected. You need an appointment, but this is always a free service, you won't be charged for it. I'll make it easy for you! Here are the numbers to call to get a car seat inspection in several cities in Indiana:
   Fort Wayne - Call Lutheran Hospital, [phone], Tuesdays only. .
   Indianapolis Area - call Steephanie Martindale at 317-852-1190 to schedule an appointment at the Brownsburg fire department. Riley Hospital also has car seat clinics - check the local paper for announcements on dates.
   Evansville - Call Babies R US the Baby Superstore
   [phone]. They have car seat clinics.
   
   For other cities, contact me and I will PERSONALLY find out where you can go in your area to get your car seat checked.

3. Schedule an appointment to have your car seat inspected every single time you do any of the following:
   
   1. Have a new baby. The same car seat can fit two different children differently.
   
   2. Switch your child to a new car seat.
   
   3. Buy a new car. The same seat may need to be installed differently in your new car.
   
   4. Anytime you take your seats out of the car and put them back in, unless you are absolutely, one hundred percent sure you know what you are doing.

Tips & Warnings

• Children should rear-face in a five point harness until at least twenty pounds and a year old, not one or the other. And that is the MINIMUM, it's fine to go much longer!
• Children should be in a five point harness until at least four years and forty pounds. Not one or the other. Both. And ideally, they should be in a five point harness until up to age six or sixty pounds, as long as your car seat goes up to that weight limit. And if yours doesn't, it's a piece of junk and you need to buy a new one!

Resources

• Not convinced this important? Read this. Please!

[Alrady]

on 5/4/2009 great info not just in your state either.. I have done this with grandkids taking to the fire station and they checked seats. VERY important.

[copperhill]

on 4/27/2009 Great advice. We never take a chance. Parents and Grandparents - please always have your car seat inspected or even better installed by a professional.

[cherold598]

on 4/13/2009 Excellent tips about an extremely important issue. Car seat inspections should be a must-do in every state. 5*

[sonni57]

on 4/13/2009 Thanks for the info on how to inspect a car seat in Indiana I live in Indiana!

[tiffhaze]

on 4/13/2009 Excellent article on how to have a car seat inspection done! This is so important!!