Teaching others about RF and how to properly secure in carseat

So I have a friend who's son is 2 months older than my daughter. On his 1st birthday they turned his carseat FF. I told her in a friendly way about what can happen, and even sent her some videos. She still kept him rear facing. One day we were going to meet at a park, but first she had to go to the store. We parked next to eachother and I got out of my car and stayed with both kids so she could just run in without bringing her son with her. I was looking at his carseat he was in. It's a britax Marathon, and I have a boulevard. I was looking at how tightly he was facened in there. He had several inches of slack! I asked her politely if that is how they always secured him in, she said yes...She said that they were told they had to stick their hand in there and that was how tight it should be.....I quickly tightened him up and told her how tight it should be, and showed her what you all have taught me!

We recently had a similar situation where I stayed with the kids in the car while she ran in somewhere...I checked his seat, and though it isn't as tight as I get my daughters, or as I can get his, it was MUCH tighter!! I of course reached in and tightened his a little more....but I know I can't push the issue on her. I have said my piece and that's all I can do...but I feel better than she at least tightens up his harness now to a more appropriate tightness.

Thanks ladies!! I just wanted to let you all know how greatful I am to all of you for your advice and suggestions. you all are a great resource, and enabled me to know just how important it is to secure kids in vehicles!!!!!

Oh and my daughter is 18 months and still rear facing, and will be until she outgrows the height/weight for rear facing (I need to look what that is again on the blvd). I am pregnant with #2 and he/she will be rear facing as long as I can just like my daughter is currently!!!

I don't have advice just share your feelings of frustration. Two of my best friends have kids within months of mine. Friend's DD 2 months older than mine and other friend's DS 3 months younger than mine. I tried to convince both to rear face with no luck. I wish I could explain it better so they would turn them but you know I feel the same there is only so much you can say. My dd is 18mo and still has many, many days of rf yet to come. I can only hope to lead by example. BTW friend complains dh makes the straps too tight for ds and my answer is they are suppose to be tight. Thanks for allowing the vent.

Glad she took your advice! Thats great

I knew a mom, who turned her baby around BEFORE he was a year His seat was NEVER installed right, and I was constantly fixing it. I asked if they read the manual, they said it was too hard. It broke my heart thinking about it all.

Its nice to hear about the ones who DO listen