SouthCoast Car Seat Checks Keep Kids Safer

With just days to go until my son arrives, I’m officially in full-blown checklist mode.

One of the most important tasks on that list is getting the car seat properly installed.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t about to be a “YouTube hero” and try to figure it out myself. I knew I needed someone who actually knew what they were doing, so I called in the professionals: the New Bedford Fire Department.

Anthony Poente, the Fire and Life Safety Educator for the department, and New Bedford Firefighter Lora Brightman met me in the radio station parking lot and had everything done in no time. Not only did they install it, but they walked me through every step: how tight the straps should be, where the clips go, how to transfer it between cars, and what to do as the baby grows.

“Parents make great attempts,” Poente explained on The MGM Show. “But even small mistakes, like upside-down clips or loose straps, can make a big difference in a crash.”

He’s right.

Car seat installation isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some use seat belts, some use tethers, and every manufacturer has its own set of rules. Add in the fact that people are often switching car seats between vehicles or relying on grandparents for daycare runs, and it’s easy to see how mistakes happen.

Mark Your Calendar: Free Car Seat Safety Check May 31

The good news? You can get yours checked for free.

The New Bedford Fire Department, along with the United Way of Greater New Bedford and Pinnacle Auto Sales, is hosting a “Little Travelers Free Car Seat Check” event on Friday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1421 Cove Road in New Bedford.

What’s in store:

• Free safety inspections by trained technicians
• Appearances by Sparky the Fire Dog
• Complimentary Surfside Creamery vouchers (while supplies last)
• A live Fun 107 broadcast during the event

This is a perfect opportunity for new and expecting parents, grandparents and even those switching over to booster seats. Trust me, it’s worth the peace of mind.

Common Car Seat Mistakes to Avoid

Poente shared a few common slip-ups he sees all the time:

• Clips installed upside down or in the wrong location
• Straps too loose or not positioned over the shoulders correctly
• Forgetting the tether or skipping manufacturer-specific instructions
• Assuming you can install once and be done; even booster seats have rules

And yes, the direction of the car seat handle matters, too.

How to Schedule a Check Anytime

If you can’t make it on May 31, New Bedford has four certified car seat safety technicians, including Poente, who offer individual appointments year-round. Even if you’re from a nearby community like Dartmouth or Fairhaven, they’re happy to help.

They’ve even had hospitals call them because they won’t let new parents take their babies home without a properly installed seat. That’s how serious this is.

The bottom line is, don’t guess. Call the fire department and have it done right. I did, and now I can officially say Baby Gazelle’s first ride will be a safe one.