Child Passenger Safety Program

The National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program (CPS certification program) certifies people as child passenger safety technicians and instructors. Tri-State FPD has several trained technicians. CPS technicians can check to make sure your car seats are installed correctly and teach you how to use and install a car seat on your own. Working with a CPS technician will be a one-on-one learning experience. When you leave, you should be confident that your child’s seat is installed correctly and feel comfortable reinstalling it on your own. This may be the most important thing you learn.

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.
• Know your child’s current weight and height.
• Using the car seat instruction manual and the vehicle owner’s manual, try to install the car seat into your vehicle prior to your appointment
• Tip! Check the index of your vehicle owner’s manual for “child safety seats”.
• Be sure to bring the car seat instruction manual AND the vehicle owner’s manual with you to your appointment.
• If possible, bring your child with you as well as another caregiver to help while you are learning.
• Be prepared to learn. The CPS Technician is trained to educate you to install and use your car seat properly in your vehicle

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. Keep in mind that our technicians are on-duty firefighters and may need to leave the appointment to respond on a call but will continue the training upon their return.
• During the checkup, a CPS Technician will:

o   Fill out a car seat check form to document the process (including car seat type, location in vehicle, misuse observations, etc.). The form may be electronic or on paper.
o   Review car seat selection appropriate for your child’s age, weight and height as well as review factors affecting proper use.
o   Review the car seat instruction manual and the vehicle owner’s manual to ensure that both are being followed correctly.
o   Ensure that an appropriate seating position in the vehicle is being used.
o   Check the car seat for recalls, visible damage and an expiration date.
o   Guide your installation of the car seat. You are encouraged to ask to learn how to install the car seat in different seating positions with different installation techniques.
o   Discuss the next steps for your child, such as when to move to the next type of car seat.
o   Discuss your state laws and best practice recommendations for occupant  safety.
o   Discuss the benefits of everyone riding properly restrained, including all adults.
o   Discuss safety in and around the vehicle.
o   Answer any questions you may have, so ask away.

Schedule an appointment with a Tri-State Child Passenger Safety certified technician