Tips for tightening Marathon one-handed?

Stresch

New member
I burned my right hand on Sunday.

It is hard to get kiddo back into her seat after daycare now. I can get her in and buckled, but I'm having trouble tightening it. This is partly because she wants to play with my bandage, and ouch!

I thought about asking someone else for help, but I doubt they would tighten it as much as I'd like. Although with the number of HWH seats and Parkway boosters, it's possible that there is someone who is CPS-crazed.

Any ideas? I need to loosen it to get her out, since I'm doing it one-handed, and I don't want to scrape my hand against the straps.
 
ADS

snowbird25ca

Moderator - CPST Instructor
Are you able to get a good grip with your left hand? I usually hold onto the strap with my left hand to tighten, and just use my right hand on top of the left when needed. No suggestions though if you use your right as your dominant hand when tightening. :eek:

Thought I'd bump this for you anyways so that you know people are reading, but probably not replying because they don't have an easy answer for you. :thumbsup:

eta: Maybe try switching which side of the car you tighten her harness from - maybe that switch in position will switch which hand you naturally want to use to tighten the harness. As I'm thinking about it, which hand is the main gripper varies depending on which side of the seat I'm tightening from. (I'm right handed if that makes a difference.)

I hope your hand heals well & you're feeling better soon.
 

sixboys

Member
I'm right handed, and have a bad right wrist that sometimes prevents me from being able to tighten harnesses when it's flared up.

In those situations, I've found that if I wrap the harness strap around the palm of my left hand, it creates better grip and I can tighten the harness better, even though I'm really not using any more muscle. Maybe you could try that and see if it helps.

Sorry about your burn, ouch!!
 

Laurenc0101

New member
I don't have a complete answer for you, but I usually have something in my hand, so I sometimes have to tighten with one hand only. I find that after I buckle my son and clip his chest clip, if I pull the slack out of his harness from his hip area at the buckle and then pull his chest clip to armpit level, all the slack is at his shoulders and the harness adjuster is easier to pull. Once I get most of the slack out, I recheck his clip and pull a few more times just to make sure I have all the slack out and his harness is snug.

As for getting him out...that is the tough part. I usually have to have both hands unless I pull the harness release and get him to sit up on his own (which is not very often..sorry :( )

Hope you are able to figure it out and I hope your hand heals and feels better soon!

Just an aside, if you could find someone to pull the harness tight for you, you could give them a quick lesson on why harness tightness is important :whistle:
 

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