Why my infant seat won't work in car

U

Unregistered

Guest

• May 8, 2006

• #1

I have a 2006 Honda Odessy. We have a Graco infant car seat that when installed is inclined toward to back to much. It will not sit level. When the baby is in the seat it makes him fall forward (which toward the back since the seat is installed facing back). I can't believe that Honda would have such a flawed design. Do you have any suggestions?

 

Dillipop

Well-known member

• May 8, 2006

• #2

This seems to be a pretty common problem, a lot of seats make it hard to install a rearfacing seat, because they are designed to comfortably hold an adult forward facing.

Does the seat have an adjustable base? If so, is the foot all the way out? Or is it an older model with a non adjustable base? You can try putting up to three pool noodles taped together to form a wedge to level the seat or you can use a tightly rolled towel, to help the snugride get a better angle. Just make sure the angle is no more than 45 deg.

 

Victorious4

Senior Community Member

• May 8, 2006

• #3

It's a common problem, but luckilly it's often a quick fix ... visit www.seatcheck.org to find your local CPST for free help

 

Michi

Member

• May 8, 2006

• #4

papooses said:

It's a common problem, but luckilly it's often a quick fix ... visit www.seatcheck.org to find your local CPST for free help

Click to expand...

In our area the techs charge a fee ( unless the local auto dealer is having a Safe Kids 'free seat check' day.) Is this common?

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• May 8, 2006

• #5

no, not at all. In my area there is one guy that charges, but he's the same guy the rich folks call to baby proof their houses.

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• May 8, 2006

• #6

Thanks for the inputs!

What I had done was use the rolled up towel since the seat base had no adjustment (it is 3+ yrs old). We were still uncomfortable with the setup so we just purchased a new seat with an adjustable base. So much better......thanks again for the responses!

 

nisi

Senior Community Member

• May 9, 2006

• #7

What?!? Techs in WI are charging a fee?

pablomichi said:

In our area the techs charge a fee ( unless the local auto dealer is having a Safe Kids 'free seat check' day.) Is this common?

Click to expand...

I am shocked to hear this. I'm in Wisconsin, too. Obviously I can't be familiar with every tech in the state, but the only place I've know to charge a fee was a baby store with a tech on staff, and they only charged if you didn't buy your seat from them (understandable - they were getting so many people showing up for free help that they couldn't wait on their customers). All the areas of the state that I'm familiar with offer free checks (sometimes by appt. only) through hospitals, health departments, police stations, etc. and at public Safe Kids events. I'm very curious about where you are, who is charging for seat checks, and what they're charging. If you're not comfortable posting the details publicly, you can PM me.

 

D

Dreaming_of_Speed

Senior Community Member

• May 10, 2006

• #8

I've never heard of anyone charging for a check. Our local CPSTs all work out of a SAFEKIDS department or dont do checks and work for the police. They all require appointments and dont do big events (At least not since oct. 2004).

I think the ppl who travel to ppl's homes charge. Now that i'm thinking about it i think the car seat lady (i dont have a link to her site anymore) had a list of prices for installing different seats and how many she would so in one appointment. I guess if you have to drive all over Timbuktu you have to pay for gas somehow.

Hey, proof to my mother my CPST training is worth something!

Do you guys accept tips or donations when you do checks?

 

mom2acrew

Moderator - CPST Instructor

• May 10, 2006

• #9

My local SK offers a monthly seat check event which is free but if you need help in person other times they ask for a $20 fee. They will try to help you over the phone. There is also a tech who will accompany you to BRU and help w/ the install for $20 by appt.

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• May 10, 2006

• #10

I don't charge, but for people who are really insistant on "paying" me for my "time", I accept donations of supplies (pool noodles, donation of NEW seats, gas cards, ect.) Any more than that and I feel bad. lol

 

SafeDad

CPSDarren - Admin

Staff member

• May 10, 2006

• #11

As a local SAFE KIDS USA coordinator, I volunteer at free events. Of course, advice is always free here at Car-seat.org. I also charge for checks I do on my own time ( http://www.seatcheck.net/services.html ). I mostly cater to expecting parents who can't wait for an appointment at their town's fitting station, if one is even available to them.

The sad reality is that many local departments have cut their programs entirely or restricted them to residents only, mostly due to costs. Aside from supplies and replacement seats, labor costs are a huge factor. The typical fire or police department employee is probably paid at least $30 an hour including benefits and overhead. I'd much rather see departments charge $10 for a checkup to recoup some of their costs than cut programs and put their effort elsewhere.

I could do checks for free, but I'd be overwhelmed with requests and I really don't want to be spending all my time doing them. As it is, I refer most people who contact me to free fitting stations and events. I charge what the market will accept and it limits the number of checks I do to a very low number. Someday when the baby is in preschool, perhaps I will advertise;-)

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• May 10, 2006

• #12

like you need to advertise. lol
How do you handle the liability issues?