Charlestown Ambulance Rescue Service has a car seat technician available to instruct drivers on the proper installation of child restraint systems – at no cost. This is done by appointment only.

What is a car seat clinic?

The car seat installation experience is an interactive one. As the caregiver, you should leave confident that your child’s seat is installed correctly and that you are comfortable reinstalling and using it correctly. Your appointment will be with a National Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician who will make sure that child rides as safe as possible in your vehicle.

Before the Car Seat Checkup

• Be prepared to learn, not just watch the CPS technician install the car seat. They're trained to teach you.
• Try to schedule an appointment one to two months prior to your baby’s due date just in case you deliver early. Many CPS technicians and their agencies require appointments several weeks in advance.
• If your child is already born, know your child's weight and height, and bring your child with you. If possible, also bring another adult to help watch the child while you are learning.
• Install the seat in your vehicle before your car seat checkup appointment. Be sure to use the instructions that came with the child car seat and the instructions in your vehicle owner’s manual regarding car seats.
• Bring the car seat instructions and the vehicle owner’s manual with you to your appointment.

During the Car Seat Checkup

• Ask to see proof of your technician’s current certification.
• This one-on-one education typically takes 20-30 minutes, depending on your car seat and vehicle. The technician will take all the time you need until you feel comfortable that your car seat is used and installed correctly.
• During the checkup, a CPS Technician will:
   
  • Fill out a form to note a variety of information, including the car seat type, location in vehicle and misuse observations, if any.
  • Ensure that your car seat is appropriate for your child’s age, and size, and review factors affecting proper use.
  • Review the car seat instructions and the vehicle owner’s manual to ensure that both are being followed correctly. (Remember to bring the vehicle owner’s manual with you.)
  • Ensure that an appropriate seating position in the vehicle is being used.
  • Check the car seat for recalls, visible damage and an expiration date.
  • Watch you install the car seat(s) correctly using either the seat belt or LATCH system.
  • Discuss the next steps for each child, such as when to graduate to the next type of car seat.
  • Discuss the benefits of everyone riding properly buckled in, including all adults.
  • Discuss safety in and around the vehicle.
  • Answer any questions you may have, so ask away.

After the Car Seat Checkup

A car seat checkup is considered a success if you can answer yes to the following questions:

• Did you participate in the installation?
• Do you feel confident about installing and using the car seat correctly?
• Did the technician answer all your questions? If not, were you given another expert to contact or will the CPS technician follow up with you?

How do I schedule an appointment?

Please E-Mail Chief Andrew Kettle at akettle@charlestownrescue.org. You may stop in the Rescue Building but remember that we will need to schedule you for an appointment. Occasionally, we may not be able to schedule you for an appointment, but we will be able to refer you another agency that will make sure your child is safely riding in a motor vehicle.  Additionally, you can find child passenger safety technicians in your area through the National CPS Certification Program.  Simply fill in the online form and search by location, language, or special needs training