Just 30 minutes of your time could help save your child’s life

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
For most parents, their children's safety is paramount. And, as much as people travel these days, it's vital that those with younger children know how to properly and safely install child safety seats.

The 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department is now offering that education by appointment. To request an appointment, call the fire department at DSN 238-2763.

Eight firefighters were recently certified through the National Child Passenger Safety Certification Program.

During the 40-hour course, firefighters were taught how to identify each part of seatbelts in different types of vehicles. They also learned how different types of car seats - which varied depending on the age and size of the child - including seats for children with special needs, were installed properly.

"Having this training means we can ensure proper installation of child car seats by educating parents," said Staff Sgt. Guy Carriveau, 100th CES Fire Department. "We can identify seats that have been recalled, along with non-certified seats. During the training, we were provided between 20 and 30 different seats, and we used personal vehicles to practice installing them."

The firefighters said they also learned lots of little tricks to help make seat installation easier.

"Right after the class, I realized I had to change the installation of my child's seat," said Tech. Sgt. Stephen Slattery, 100th CES Fire Department. "It took a long time to learn about the different types of seats, harnesses and air bags in cars. We had to complete three tests, with a total of 100 questions."

The training will provide parents with hands-on instruction.

"We go over checklists with them, giving them tips on how seats can be installed more effectively," Sergeant Slattery said. "We'll take the seat out of the vehicle and show them how to install it, then take it out again and let them do it."

The whole process takes about 30 minutes.

Sergeants Slattery and Carriveau request that parents bring the car seat manufacturer's handbook, along with the vehicle handbook (which shows locations of airbags along with other helpful information) when arriving for an appointment.

If possible, parents are urged to bring the child who will be using the car seat to the appointment so the firefighters can ensure the seat is the right size and fit for the child, and the seatbelt or harness is in the correct place when the child is in the seat.

"We'll help them install it and ensure it's within the manufacturers' guidelines," Sergeant Carriveau said. "They may not know the correct way to do that. But we can show them and give them that confidence they need to install the seat correctly."