SOLON — Sometimes “close enough” is “good enough.”

However, when it comes to correctly installing and securing a child safety seat in a vehicle, “close enough” is far from “good enough.” It has to be right. Getting it right, for the maximum in safety and protection for a child, means ensuring the seat is the proper size, not damaged, and placed and secured properly.

It can be a daunting and confusing task.

Alexis Kurth, Adult Services Librarian for the Solon Public Library, is a certified car seat technician, which means she is qualified to help people figure out all of those straps and buckles and clips. Kurth and former staffer Cassi Elton (now Director of the Antelope Lending Library, antelopelendinglibrary.org), also a certified tech., held a car seat safety inspection event Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Library.

“When someone drives in we look to see how the car seat is installed (if it’s already in place), we look to see if their children are traveling with them and how they’re sitting in the seat, and then we look to see if they’re following all of the best practices in addition to following the law,” said Kurth. Proper placement includes looking to see if the strap across the child’s chest? Down at their belly button? Or choking them? Is the seat in tight enough? Is it fastened in by the seatbelt or does it have a latch system? The goal being a seat secure enough to not move around in the event an accident occurs. The bottom line – “…to keep that kid as safe as possible,” she said.

The event also gave parents and caregivers a chance to discuss strategies for dealing with escape artists, those kids who within seconds of getting all strapped and buckled in, have freed themselves faster than Houdini. One tactic involves a bit of trial-and-error – trying different seats in the store until you find one they can’t undo. Depending on the child and their age, a simple discussion may be all that’s needed, especially as seats are recommended for more age groups (such as booster seats up to age 11, depending on the size of the child). “That can be frustrating for the child, they don’t want to be sitting in a booster seat anymore, but if you can explain and reason with them why this is important and why this keeps them safe, then they’re more likely to use it,” said Elton.

“I would just say to parents that if you go to the store or you go online to buy your car seat and you feel overwhelmed, don’t be embarrassed. It is overwhelming. It is not a bad thing to ask for help when you need it and even if you come in and we say yup, you did it correctly, then that peace of mind I can give you is so important,” she added.

Kurth is available at the Library by appointment at 319-624-2678 or email [email protected]. The Solon Fire Department also has certified technicians available as well. In addition, the entire crew at Iowa City Fire Station No. 4 is certified as well. “There are lots of free resources for you, so if it’s anything you are remotely nervous about, make an appointment and talk to somebody. That’s why we’re here,” Elton added.

Iowa Child Passenger Safety Law vs. Best Practice

Rear-facing seat – Iowa law states children must ride in an appropriate rear-facing child safety seat until one year of age and at least 20 pounds. Best practice says children should ride in an appropriate rear-facing child safety seat until the maximum height or weight limit of the seat is reached.

Forward-facing seat – Iowa law states children must ride in a child safety seat or booster seat through the age of five (in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions). Best practice says children should be restrained in a five-point harness system until the maximum height or weight of the child safety seat is reached.

Booster seat – Iowa law states children must ride in a booster seat or seat belt between the ages of 6-11, regardless of their seating position, within a vehicle. Best practice says after outgrowing a five-point harness, children should move into a booster seat. Children should ride in a booster seat until the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt fit them properly. Most children will need a booster seat until they are between 8-12 years old.

Seatbelt – Iowa law requires rear seat occupants up to 18 years of age be secured by a seatbelt. Best practice says, “Buckle up for Life!” Regardless of age, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration encourages occupants of vehicles to protect themselves and those they are traveling with by buckling up every trip, every time, regardless of where they may sit.