Fire department encourages community to use car seat inspection service

Mountain Brook Fire Department helps install and inspect between 30 and 40 car seats each month.

The department has provided the service since around 2003 with the hope it will help protect the youngest citizens of Mountain Brook and help educate the public on different safety measures, said Fire Marshal Leland Rhudy.

“Mainly it’s to educate the community because statistically, one-third of car seats are usually put in wrong or improperly installed,” Rhudy said.

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in children, Rhudy said, and having a child properly secured in a well-installed car seat helps prevent between 70 and 80 percent of injuries by car accidents. It also prevents 28 percent of deaths in car accidents, he said.

To set up a car seat installation or inspection, parents or caregivers can call the fire department and set up an appointment. They can request a specific station or be assigned one based on their residence and which is closest.

At the station, at least three technicians will assist with the installation or inspection. One will fill out the proper paperwork and the other two will help install and explain proper installation. The whole process takes about 10 to 15 minutes, Rhudy said.

During the installation, parents are encouraged to ask questions and will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience. The technicians will work to educate the parent or caregiver about proper installation and specifics to the car seat, such as adjustments they make to the angle of the seat.

There are a total of 53 technicians within the  Mountain Brook Fire Department, Rhudy said, and there are five certified instructors. By having instructors on staff, Rhudy said they will be able to continue to educate the staff. 

Rhudy said technicians help with a variety of installations, ranging from infant seat installation before the child is born to older child booster seats. They will also help swap car seats from one car to another. Different cars have different features that can affect installation, and Rhudy said the technicians take that into account and can explain the differences.

Of the technicians, 43 are also certified paramedics. Those individuals, Rhudy said, see both sides of car seat installation when they work in the field.

“It really puts it into perspective for them because when they respond to calls, they see the car seat that could have been installed properly,” Rhudy said.

Mountain Brook Fire Department recommends children ages 12 and younger sit in the backseat, and technicians can recommend the best car seats for specific height, weight and age parameters.

Rhudy said they also recommend parents or care givers bring the child with them to the car seat inspection, if possible. By having the child there, technicians can make sure the seat is the proper size and type as well as check to make sure the child is comfortable in the seat.

The technicians will not install any after-market features, Rhudy said, such as mobiles that dangle over the child, mirrors or other items. These features could become flying objects in the event of a crash, he said, and pose other potential risks.

“Our main goal is for them to leave here safer than they came in,” Rhudy said.

To set up a car seat installation or inspection, call Mountain Brook Fire Department at 802-3838 for an appointment.