Frequently Asked Questions
Do car seat checks cost money?
They don't have to! I have shifted to a pay-what-you-can model and absolutely no payment is expected!
Keeping car seat checks accessible is of deep importance to me so I am happy to volunteer my time for individual car seat checks while our free public health-run clinics remain closed.
If you would like, you are welcome to e-transfer any amount that suits your family to emma.daughton@gmail.com after your appointment, but again, payment is absolutely not required!
Can you tell me which car seat to buy?
The best car seat is the one that fits your child, fits your vehicle, fits your budget, and will be used properly every time!
I am always delighted to help you figure out which options on the Canadian market fit all those criteria for you - please send me a message via the main page form with details about your child’s size (or anticipated size), your vehicle, your budget and I will help narrow down the options available and offer pros & cons for the seats to simplify your choice.
Please mention if you have other factors at play such as: extended rear facing goals, special needs (particularly low tone), tall front seat passengers, multiple car seats installed next to each other etc.
How long does a car seat check take?
I usually budget 45 minutes per car seat being checked - some complicated installations and anything involving three car seats across one vehicle row will take longer.
During our appointment I will ensure you feel confident about how to uninstall and re-install your car seat every time you will need to do so in the future. We will also go over how to guarantee proper harness or seat belt fit for your little one each car ride, discuss best safety practices, and address any questions you have about car seat use and keeping your child(ren) safe while in transit.
What are your in-person COVID-19 protocols?
Our appointment will take place outdoors
I am fully vaccinated and can wear a KN95 mask
I will have hand sanitizer that I will use
[if these measures do not fit with your needs virtual car seat checks are available]
Where will the seat check take place?
In-person appointments in the Hamilton area (I am happy to come to you within a roughly 30 minute drive radius from downtown) usually take place at your home, as long as there is a flat area to park your vehicle on. If you only have sloped parking available, or you are more comfortable meeting in a community setting away from your home, we can arrange to meet at an uncrowded location that is convenient to you such as a park or large store parking lot.
Can I drop off my vehicle and have you install the car seats without me there?
No.
If I install a car seat but the caregiver cannot re-install it by themselves in the same correct way then the child will not be riding safely when the car seat inevitably must be removed from the vehicle in the future (I promise an unexpected need to move it will come up at some point).
The primary goal of a car seat check is educational; to be sure that every single car ride the child is as safe as possible - which means the adult using that car seat during every single ride needs hands-on understanding of the proper installation and usage.
Should my child(ren) be present for an in-person car seat check?
This is up to you!
Generally it is not necessary, but if I need to see your child in their car seat to ensure an optimal check we can always have a video call for just that component afterwards.
If your child(ren) will be present it is helpful to have a way to contain/entertain them during the appointment as at times you will need to be hands-on with your car seat(s) in this process. It is useful to have either: a second adult present, a stroller or baby carrier to strap your child into, or diversions of some sort to entertain your older kiddos safely while they are in/near the vehicle, but their car seats are not an available contained spot for them to sit.
What’s all the fuss about having 3 car seats in a row?
Most vehicle back seats are designed to be aesthetically pleasing and optimise adult passenger comfort - two considerations that are often less-than-ideal for proper car seat installation fit.
Many vehicles that seem reasonably large actually do not have middle seats that can accommodate a car seat, or they have adjacent seat belts that overlap each other and cannot be used simultaneously, or they have padding, headrests, or bolsters that impede a proper car seat installation - all of this can make some car seat models incompatible with some vehicles. Those finicky issues (which can impact any single car seat install) are often exacerbated when needing to install multiple car seats next to one another. The best solution is trialling the desired car seats in your vehicle to be sure everything can fit safely - which means not overlapping, not bracing against each other and each seat being independently tight.
If you are considering a new car seat, or trying to fit multiple child passengers in your vehicle I am happy to meet to test-fit car seats or boosters at any of the retailers who allow ‘try before you buy’ with their floor models and often I have a few of my own demo-seats I am able to bring to test as well.
We can often find a safe solution for transporting your children, but sometimes the realities of the vehicle mean it is simply not possible.