Child Passenger Safety Program
“Why do I have to make an appointment?”
The Ferndale Fire Department has one certified Technician on staff. To make sure that you can receive professional instruction, it is necessary to schedule the time in advance to arrange the daily firehouse work and training schedules. This way, we can best give you and your family the information and training to be able to install your child safety seat properly.
“Why should I bring the car seat manual and my vehicle owners manual?”
There are many types of vehicles on the road today that have different engineering designs. It is impossible to know how the child seat that you have will integrate with your vehicle. Having both manuals helps us decide the best way to install the seat, and the proper method to use to install it.
“How do I know which seat is best for my child?”
The best seat for your child is the one that is appropriate for their age, weight and height, and is the easiest for you to install and use correctly. All styles of child passenger seats are tested to the same federal standards.
“How long does my child have to ride in the rear-facing position?”
Michigan law requires that a child, riding in a motor vehicle, must ride in the rear-facing position until they are 1 year old and are 20 pounds. The rear-facing position is the safest position for infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should ride rear-facing until they reach the maximum height and weight requirements of the seat manufacturer.
“I got an infant seat with the LATCH system, but my car does not have LATCH. Can I use this seat?”
Yes. Vehicles manufactured after 2002 are required to have LATCH. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. This system was developed to make child seat installation easier and works in most installations today, though LATCH may not be the best solution for every situation. However, all child safety seats can be installed using the existing seat belts inside your car.
“My neighbor has a child seat that she no longer uses. Could I use this one instead of buying a new one?”
It is never the best practice to use a used child safety seat. You cannot guarantee whether this seat has been in an accident, or was subject to excess use or abuse. Although the seat may seem fine on the outside, the naked eye cannot detect stress points or cracks underneath the surface of the plastic.
“How much of a difference does using a child seat make?”
Accidents are the #1 cause of death of children ages 14 and under. Current statistics from the Centers for Disease Control show that an estimated 975 children will die this year from automobile crashes. A child safety seat, when installed and used properly, can reduce the chance of injury or death by up to 80%.
Please take a moment to watch this video that illustrates how much of a difference a properly used child safety seat can be.
Can’t see the video, click here
