Mythbusting: Any Fire or Police Department Can Help to Install Your Carseat

Myth: You can go to any fire department or police department to have them help you with your carseat

I think this myth has been around since the dawn of carseats. Think about it: who do you call for help? The fire or police personnel: they’re the fearless heroes who swing into action and tackle the hard things in life when we really need them.

But as we busted earlier with pediatricians, we have to ask: are they trained in child passenger safety? They’re trained in life-saving techniques and fire-fighting tactics and weapons, but do they know not to use a seat belt and LATCH at the same time (or where to find the exceptions)?

In some areas, yes, fire personnel and/or police are trained to check carseats. However, I’d say that’s the exception rather than the rule. Being able to check that a carseat is properly installed and used correctly requires intensive 3-4 day (depending on the area) training and carries liability—a child’s life is on the line. Maintaining the certification is often something techs who “do it” for their jobs aren’t interested in pursuing.

In my personal experience as an instructor in Las Vegas, we have 0 techs on staff at any fire department in town. That wasn’t always the case, but it is right now and has been for many years. Some of our school police are techs, but other jurisdictions are not.

Is the myth BUSTED, PLAUSIBLE, OR CONFIRMED?

I think we pretty clearly see that it’s BUSTED but only because the word “any” is used. You can’t go to just “any” fire or police department and expect a trained child passenger safety technician to be on staff or even on duty when you arrive. Please call ahead to see if someone is available. This myth really is PLAUSIBLE.