We have not done this, and it's on my list of things to do. Hopefully in the next week or so, I know it's important to get it done since so many things can be overlooked. I'm fairly confident they are installed correctly after reading over the manuals and doing research but I can never be too safe!
Did you have your car seat checked for proper install? When you took it in to get it checked did you learn anything that you were doing wrong? Where did you take it?
pomelo / 5678 posts
We went to the fire station and they showed us how to install it the lady got on top of it to pull it super tight. I think dh went before she was born and then we went again at 9 months when she got her convertible.
hostess / wonderful grape / 20803 posts
I've never been but it's a good idea. Do all fire stations do this?
pomegranate / 3565 posts
I did before I had my older son. I got lots of good tips that I wouldn't have known - using a pool noodle to get the right angle or putting something under the seat so it doesn't slide or loosen on leather seats.
I got it done at the local Safety Council for free. I had to make an appointment.
@winniebee: In my area, they refer to the safety council a lot. I also think the woman's hospital in my city offers certain days where they bringn people in to check.
cantaloupe / 6692 posts
I took our new convertible car seat to be installed by an inspection station and he was in a hurry and installed it not reclined at all. There were 2 line indicators on the side that side "parallel to the ground for x weight" and he didn't even have it parallel for the heavier weight which was 8 pounds heavier than DS is. I was annoyed. DH and I started from scratch when I got back and got them in reclined AND correctly. They won't budge an inch.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts
@Danizaur: Wow, that't terrible! You'd think taking it somewhere like that they would do it correctly. See that's my thing too, I make DH put his knee in and pull so tight it doesn't budge, I check the manuals for other directions etc so I feel pretty confident, but again I'm not an expert....but apparently in your case they don't know it all either!
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
I did with our infant seat, but not our convertible which probably should be now that we turned it around forward facing. Maybe when we install the base for infant we will take our car in and get both checked to be safe!
pomegranate / 3375 posts
We did have it checked. It was really important to us. There are some quick check things you can do to ensure the seat is installed properly: read the manual (which you've done), LATCH or seatbelt install (not both), with a handshake firmness grab the seat near the belt path and try to move back and forth (shouldn't move more than an inch side to side), check level bubble, if RF the restraint should be at our below the shoulders), if ff (restraint should be at or above the shoulders), and seat should not be touching the seat in front of it. If someone does check the install or installs it for you, they should undo it, and teach you how to do it yourself so you know for the future. 
bananas / 9628 posts
Yes, but my mom is certified, so I have her do it usually once while she was traveling I went to the fire station, he did a horrible job & I ended up teaching him how to do it. Some techs are great, some don't have a clue, some are militant. I was at an event where my mom was doing installs & another tech ripped me a new one for having the infant seat behind me & the convertible on the passenger side, I perfer that because when getting out parked on the street, I would rather have the mobile one away from the street, but she did not want to hear it, seriously, she straight up yelled at me when I refused to switch them.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
@winniebee: my brother is an EMT/fireman and they receive NO training on this. So I am not sure why everyone thinks you can just take it there. Of course he tells me this after we took ours to one. But the muscles were good to get it nice and tight!
persimmon / 1331 posts
@winniebee: @Smurfette: some fire stations have all their firefighters trained, some have a few, some have none. It's a good idea to call them and check. They may only have one that's there certain days. You want someone who is actually certified, not just thinks they know, because they may not know the latest recommendations! (DH is a fire fighter, they have at least one person per shift that is certified in their district but that person isn't always at the main station. Another good reason to call first!)
ETA: DH installed and double checks ours periodically! I think it's a good idea to get a certified car seat tech to check you over and give you pointers to make sure your LO is as safe as possible! Many think they are good when they are actually buckling them in wrong (too loose, chest clip not high enough, etc). Never hurts!
persimmon / 1343 posts
Good techs will NOT install the seat for you - they will instruct you how to do it 
So worrying to hear things like this because people will go to folks like that and assume their kid is safe. So scary.
pineapple / 12053 posts
@Smurfette: @winniebee: my DH is an EMT that works for a department that does them! there are a couple guys that get additional training and they are the ones that run the checks. i don't think you can just show up and expect that someone will know the right thing!
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
@birdofafeather: That is great your DH's county does the training. My brother said his doesn't. Which is sad cause people do go to them to install.
honeydew / 7917 posts
I went to the DMV to get my car seat checked. I had to schedule an appointment since there is only one person who is certified and performs the car seat checks. He was very friendly and taught me a lot of information. We had installed it incorrectly, and he showed me how to get a tight fit using the seat belt.
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