questions about car seat inspection

i wrote down a few names/#'s of car seat inspection places off of the website that has been posted here before... but a few questions...
for ladies that have done this - do they actually INSTALL the car seats for you, or you do it and then they just double check it?
how far in advance did you do this prior to your due date?
has anyone used any of the places in suffolk that they'd recommend?
tia

Re: questions about car seat inspection

We installed them (we have twins) and they checked them. I wanted DH to install it so he had practice and would be comfortable if we had to take the bases out. Thank god we had them checked. Ours were not nearly tight enough so they wound up reinstalling them for us.

I did this at 34 weeks. I was scheduled for a c-section at 38 weeks and had my babies at 37w3d. I am a big planner so for me I just wanted to check that off my list.

I had it done in Queens so no advice on the Suffolk part. GL!

Re: questions about car seat inspection

sorry to hijack but may i ask where in queens bc we need to do this!

questions about car seat inspection

I haven't done this - thought the LATCH system was easy enough but I should probably get it inspected right? Where in Suffolk can you go? I must have missed that thread. I'm 38+4 so I need to get on it!

Re: questions about car seat inspection

Here's the link that lets you search for locations:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/Index.cfm

DH had tried to install the infant seat when we went but didn't know you weren't supposed to do both the LATCH and the belt on the base, so the fireman who did ours took everything out and showed us from scratch then told us what he looks for and explained it as he did it. He also told us to take all the inserts out of the infant car seat that weren't from the manufacturer, including the strap covers for comfort, and not to put a mirror up until we move into the convertible seat. He explained that the way the infant seat protects the baby in a crash is to bounce the entire seat upwards, containing the baby like a turtle shell into the back of the car seat so if a mirror is there, it would hit the baby.

When we went for the convertible installation, I just brought the seat in the trunk and he installed it for me. They have a checklist they filled out both times with my info in it and describing the steps he took for installation and inspection.

I'm OOS but I imagine it's similar no matter where you go.

Re: questions about car seat inspection

Hassel Auto Body (in West Babylon) will install seats or check seats that have already been put in. We've used them a few times and really like them.

I had DD's infant seat installed a week before my EDD... and went into labor two days later. We cut that a little too close lol. This time, I'll probably go about a month early and have the base put in, just to have it.

Re: questions about car seat inspection

Thank u!