My twins will finially be turning one in a few weeks. I've very anxious to turn their seat forward facing. Can anyone tell me where they do car seat checks in the Overland Park area? Thank you in advance!
My twins are ounces shy of 20lbs, so I do understand the 20lbs AND 1 year rule. Thanks for all the suggestions!
you might be able to go to the Police station ot a local fire department or even back to the hospital.
Your fire stations install car seats and make sure they are secure. I believe you just have to call them and find out the times. I have a five year old boy and twins boys that are 2 1/2.
Call your local car dealership or insurance office, local hosp or OB unit might be able to help even. They might be able to either check the seats for you or at least tell you if there is a car seat check event coming up soon near you.
That one year mark is a fun one but I do remember from my kids being in seats that they are supposed to be a year old AND 20lbs before you turn them around. A lot of people try to 1 yr OR 20lbs.
I was told you could call 1-888-327-4236 mon thru friday and get locations
I would check your fire department. They usually do them. Good luck:)
Try your local W.I.C office, your local hospitals, or try your police department they might be able to help you or look online for car seat checks in your area.
I think they can do a check at any fire station...
Check with your nearest highway patrol office or Police station.
In Lee's Summit, MO, they have had a couple of people able to make sure your car seats are in correctly.
T. H
I'm not sure exactly you can have car seats checked. I *think* the police department/fire department might be able to help you.
Also, wanted to let you know that just because your little ones are 1 years old and 20 lbs does not mean forward facing is the safest way to ride. Those are the minimum requirements and I personally will not be turning around my baby until much later. If they want to look out, they can still look out the window. If you search for information online, you can even watch the car seat crash test safety videos that will illustrate the differences in forward facing vs. rear facing seats. Much safer if they are rear facing.
Sorry to overwhelm you, but I just feel passionately that more people need to know this information. :)
Hi J.!
Wow twins- how fun!
I can't tell you where to go for a carseat check (try carseat.org), but are you aware that there is lots of research and new recommendations that you should not turn your little ones forward facing until much later- turning them at age one is now considered out of date- rear facing younger children (especially under age 2) allows for much greater head and neck safety...their head/neck and spine development are not ready to sustain crashes and rear facing provides significantly more protection. The American Academy of Pediatrics even came out with the statement last year stating children should remain rear facing until the carseat limits- most convertible seats allow for rear facing till 33lbs (Britax) and 35 (many other brands). Another study just came out indicating rear facing is 5 times safer for children under 3. If you google rear facing car seats you will probably find lots of information- and FYI not all car seat checks are created equal-some places may not always give you great advice. Every year there are new carseats and in the last few years some major advances in seats that many techs aren't aware of (many techs have told friends of mine kids are ok in boosters at 30 pounds, not really true...the are so many new seats out there, that allow kids to be in a 5pt harness until 65-80 pounds but many techs don't always know this)
If you are concerned about their legs, broken legs or sore legs are not a concern. My Daughter stayed rearfacing until age 3 1/2, she was tall but only 33 pounds, she rode for 900 miles on one trip, not a complaint ever.
If you have any more questions I'd love to help or send you in the right direction.
B.
You should keep your child facing backwards until they are atleast 20lbs and 1year. Your child's car seat should also tell you how much weight it can hold facing backwards. Most of them are like 40lbs. Your child is much safer facing backwards, even though it is a pain to get them in and out.
Try the fire stations in your area. They should be able to properly install a car seat.
I see commercials all the time for a certain Wichita car dealership who advertises that they will check your car seats for you. I betcha there's one in Overland Park/Kansas City that can do it. Also, the police should do it for you and if they can't, they can direct you to the right agency.
Check with the state police. They do car seat checks free of charge and you'll probably be able to do it around your schedule. I believe that it is the Public Information Office that you would contact, but check the web site to be sure.
Best Wishes and Congrats on your milestone!
Like others have already said, if you go to the fire station or police station, they will check for you. And "just ounces of 20 lbs" is basically 20 lbs. Some people over react. Car trips were so much better once my girls could face forward. It was more exciting to them.
I am not in that area, but here in the St. Louis area we go to our local Fire Department. I would call first to make sure that they will do it, and to make sure someone will be available. In our case, only certain firemen are certified to install and check them
Wow, your little boys were born the same day as my little girl.
I recently read about a child that was killed forward facing and as a pp stated they are now advising that children stay rear facing as long as possible.
You can try calling your local police station and asking them. They can surely tell you.
OP Police Department does the car seat checks which is where we have always gone. Its the location close to 119th & Quivira.
Not to be a downer, but it really is safer to keep them rear-facing as long as possible, even if they're over 1yr & 20 lbs. My daughter was about 15 mos when I turned her. I knew it was time because she started to throw fits every time it was time to get in the car. The safety of your children is what matters most, and I know as a mom you want to do what is best (which is why you were asking your question!) Take care!
My doctor recommended that if they are not to big to still stay rear facing leave them that way. My daughter was 17mths before I turned her around if you still have the in an infant seat the cosco & eddie baur (they are around $150 but well worth the money) makes one that is rear facing up front facing up to 100 pounds, the other nice thing about them is they harness adjusts from the front so as the grow you do not have to take the seat out to adjust. missouri is and 8yrs or 80lbs to be out of a booster or car seat so this one will last you awhile...
have a great day
M.
Children's Hospital does carseat checks. The number should be on the website. They also provide car seats for reasonable prices if you do not have one in the right size/condition for your children. As they get older they also provide excellent prices on bicycle helmets for all ages. I have have excellent service and help with them. It is definitely worth the time and energy, and they will be honest with the age and condition of the car seat.
I am not sure where Overland Park is, but here they do them at St. Francois County Ambulance District free of charge and even give people car seats if they are in need. Its a fairly new program and a great one! They'd be happy to help you! They probably even know of others that may do it closer to you.
I know when I had my second baby, the OP police dept. sent out an officer to install the carseat that I couldn't figure out. I'm sure if you call them, they'll give you the right info. Also, check the Kansas Highway Patrol website, www.kansashighwaypatrol.org. I think they have that info, too.
J.,
One year old is the earliest you can turn carseats forward. It is much safer to keep them rear facing for as long as possible, especially if your children don't have any complaints. In simulated car crashes the dummies that are rear facing have much less head and neck trauma as those who were forward facing. Just something to think about.
1 year and 20 lbs is the minimum for rear-facing. AAP recommends that kids stay rear-facing for as long as possible. My daughter just turned 1 a few weeks ago. I'm in no hurry to move her seat. I'll move her when she's too big to sit rear-facing. Here is a link to more info about why extended rear-facing is best: http://www.carsafety4kids.com/rearfacing.html
If you have met the 1 yr & 20 lb minimum and really don't want to keep them rear-facing, contact the Overland Park Police Department. They do car seat checks. I believe you have to schedule an appointment.
Check with your local police or fire dept--they usually have certified installers on their forces
Call your local fire dept, if they dont do them, they would surely know where to send you!
Congrats! :o)
Check with your local health department. Not only do they do healthy kid check-ups, but you can receive alot of other services, one possible being car seat checks, and proper installation of your carseats. If no luck with this, try contacting your local fire department. Some fire departments also do this, and even some car dealerships are getting involved in doing the same. Hope this may help you. My daughter had the same problem, and with some searching, this is what we came up with in our area!
If you stop by any police department they will do it for you.
Usually you can bring them to your local fire department and they will check them for you. Good luck!
Check with the police or fire departments. Also in Olathe the highway patrol does carseat checks.
You can go to any police station or the Kansas Highway Patrol. You can just call the KHP and they usually will even come to your home. It's really easy. I don't know the number just look in the phone book for KHP and someone will get you in touch with the right people.
Any of the police stations or the Highway Patrol will do it. Be sure to call ahead because I believe they require an appointment.
Check with your local police department, most do seat checks on a monthly basis and may even schedule a time for you to come in just so that it is done right. Also some fire departments have the same service.
