What would you have done?

tl01

New member
Recently, I met a friend from out of town for breakfast. Once we were done... and knowing I'm a car seat nut, she asked if I could look at how her DS's Marathon was installed in her mom's car (as her mom had tried to replicate the tech's install that had been done before a previous trip.) When I saw the install I was horrified! The LATCH was used but was super loose and the FFing belt path was used though the seat was installed RFing. The seat belt was also just loosely latched. On top of that the seat was at about a 60 degree angle! Of course I had to at least improve the install. We both had to be somewhere after the breakfast so I had to work as quickly as possible. When I started to install the seat, I saw that the LATCH straps were completely twisted at the point where you loosen and tighten it (what's the word for that part?) I tried to fix the straps but they were sooooo messed up. My friend was getting ansy to depart and I have never tried to install the seat with the seat belt so I didn't think I'd be able to do it very quickly (have never needed to not use the LATCH for that particular seat). I installed the seat as best I could with the LATCH. It moved less than one inch though it wasn't rock solid like my seat. I showed her how to reinstall the seat but told her she needed to go home and fix the straps b/c it wasn't safe to have them like that. I hated to see her leave before the seat was properly installed but she was late for a very important event. What would you have done in that situation?
 
ADS

UlrikeDG

Admin - CPS Technician Emeritus
Seatbelt! The Marathon/Roundabout type Britax seats are extremely easy to install with the seatbelt.
 

tl01

New member
I guess having never done it before I had no way of knowing if I was doing it correctly and if it would have held in an accident. She wasn't leaving me time to read how to do it with the manual.
 

harnessed4ever

New member
Did you both have your kids w/ you? If for some reason you had a seat that would have pretty close to fit her child, that you weren't using, you could have installed that in her car and made sure that her kid had a safe ride.
 

cryswilkins

New member
I probably would have done a seat belt install on the fly. BUT I can sympathize with you. I have never installed my MA with LATCH. I tried once and gave up, because I am so much more comfortable with a seat belt install and I was in a hurry. I have been meaning to "practice" a LATCH install but haven't gotten around to it.
 

snowbird25ca

Moderator - CPST Instructor
I also would've gone with a seatbelt install.

For future reference, you can always engage the vehicles locking retractors and not worry about the lock-offs if in a hurry. Car seat shells are required to have clear markings for which belt path is which, so without messing with the lock-off it would've been pretty simple. Might've had tipping issues as a few days passed, but would've had a good install until mom had a chance to do the seat properly. :thumbsup:

Do you know if she's going to take the seat back to the tech and get instructions again? Or will she be able to fix it herself? It might be worth calling her and just "checking to see if she figured it out" kind of thing.
 

tl01

New member
I also would've gone with a seatbelt install.

For future reference, you can always engage the vehicles locking retractors and not worry about the lock-offs if in a hurry. Car seat shells are required to have clear markings for which belt path is which, so without messing with the lock-off it would've been pretty simple. Might've had tipping issues as a few days passed, but would've had a good install until mom had a chance to do the seat properly. :thumbsup:

Do you know if she's going to take the seat back to the tech and get instructions again? Or will she be able to fix it herself? It might be worth calling her and just "checking to see if she figured it out" kind of thing.

I told her to get it checked/reinstalled again. She was only going to be in-town for another day or so so they will have to check again when she comes back to town as her mom doesn't leave the seat in while she's gone (though they should.) I plan on asking her how it is when she comes back to town and if it is still messed up them I can try to help out.
 

tl01

New member
I think I would have planned a quick lunch or coffee break for after her important event.

I totally would have done that but we had somewhere else we had to be as well and by the time we were all done we would have been about 1.5 hour driving distance apart each way:( We live in a big city with TONS of traffic. Plus when she's in town she has 2-3 meetups each day with friends so it's super hard to catch her not doing anything.

I guess I should have done a seat belt install. I just didn't feel comfortable sending her DS out there in an install I'd never attempted b4. If he had been in a SS1 I would have felt fine.
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,655
Messages
2,196,895
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

Please  Support Car-Seat.Org  with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC

Top