Car Seat Classes & Checks
Car Seat Classes
These informational classes provide general information about car seats, car seat laws, common mistakes, and how to use car seats properly. If you already have car seats for your children and want to receive more specific information about how to install and use your car seat, use the resources at the end of the car seat checks section to schedule an appointment.
BabySafe of Fresno
Free classes are offered approximately five times per month in English and once a month in Spanish. The classes are offered at various locations and at different times of the day. Low-income families may qualify for a discounted car seat and some pregnant women may qualify for free car seats. Call Kim Wilson at 559-432-2223 to learn about upcoming classes and to register for a class.
Fresno Women’s Medical Group
7050 N. Recreation Avenue #100
Fresno, CA 93706
Car seat classes are taught at Fresno Women’s Medical Group once a month. The class costs $20 per couple. To enroll in the class, contact Dana Turner at 559-322-2910.
Omni Women's Health
1122 S Street
Fresno, CA 93721
The car seat safety class costs $15 and is taught at the downtown location. This class is taught as part of a 6-class series that costs $90, but patients can take just the car seat class. The classes are free for patients with Blue Cross Medi-Cal or Health Net Medi-Cal. With the completion of the series of six classes, parents can receive a free infant carrier car seat or upgrade to a convertible car seat for $19. Parents of multiples can obtain two infant carriers for $20 or two convertible car seats for $45. To enroll in the class, call Omni at 559-495-3120. If you have questions about the classes, ask for Mandi Delsid.
Car Seat Checks
What is the purpose of a car seat check?
The purpose of a car seat check is to make sure that you know how to install and use your car seat properly. Statistics from car seat safety checks conducted by Safe Kids Central Valley show that at least 90% of inspected car seats were being used or installed improperly.
What is a Child Passenger Safety Technician?
To become certified, Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) are required to complete a week-long course created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Individuals must attend all parts of the course and pass all written examinations and performance evaluations to receive their certification. Safe Kids USA is the certifying body for CPSTs and CPST instructors (CPST-I).
At a car seat check, a team of CPSTs will check all car seats and all children in the vehicle and inform you of ways to keep your children safe in and around vehicles. They do not install your car seats for you but instead teach you how to use and install your own seats properly.
What happens at a car seat check?
The CPST will check how your children fit in their car seats and how the car seats fit in the vehicle. If your children are present, the technician(s) will evaluate how you have secured your children in their car seats: They check for harness tightness, harness placement, chest clip placement, etc. The technician will have you take the children out of the car seat to evaluate how you have installed the car seat. He/she will uninstall your car seat to check for any problems with the car seat and to be sure the seat is not expired or recalled by the manufacturer. Then the technician will teach you how to install the car seat in your car, correcting any mistakes that you made when you originally installed the car seat. If your car seat is difficult to install, the CPST might install the seat first and then teach you how to do the install properly by yourself. You should be the last person to install the car seat so that the technician knows you will be able to install your seat properly in the future. You will also be asked to fill out paperwork as part of the process. If you do not remember registering your car seat, the technicians can have you fill out a generic registration form to fax to the manufacturer so that you will be informed should your car seat(s) ever be recalled.
During the car seat check, the technician will share information with you about car seat safety. Some of this information will be about any installation mistakes you made or concerns related to the car seat, but other information will help you learn more about how to use your car seat properly and how to keep your child safe in and around the vehicle. If you have any questions about car seats, make sure to ask the CPST during the check.
At public check-up events, once you have completed your session, a senior checker will be called over. The senior checker is there to review the paperwork, to give a final glance at your children secured in their seats, and to answer any final questions.
How much time will a car seat check take?
Allow approximately 30 minutes per car seat. With twins, expect to spend an hour or longer at the car seat check.
What should I do before I go to a car seat check?
Make plans to attend a public car seat check or call to schedule an appointment for a private car seat check. Read your car seat manual and the section in your vehicle manual about car seat installations. Write down any questions you have or mark any confusing parts of the manuals. Also, install your car seat before you go to the check, even if you will not be transporting your children in the car seats. This will allow the technician to evaluate what you already know about installing the car seats and what you need to learn.
Should I bring my children to the car seat check?
Ideally, you should bring your car seat to a check so that the technician can make sure the car seat is appropriate for your child’s age and size, can verify that the seat fits the child properly, and can show you how to position and tighten the harness or seatbelt on your child. If you plan to bring your children, schedule the check at a time when they are usually well rested, fed, and generally in a good mood.
If you plan to attend a car seat check before your babies are born, the technician will demonstrate how to position your babies properly in the car seats. Once the babies are born, if you have questions about how they fit in their seats, you should follow up with a technician as soon as possible.
If your children do not come to the car seat check, it would be helpful to know your child’s measurements and how your child fits in the seat. With a larger child who might be outgrowing the seat soon, it would be helpful to identify where the top of the child’s shoulders and head line up in the seat, which you can easily mark with a small piece of tape.
What else should I bring to the car seat check?
In addition to your car seats, you should bring the car seat manual and your vehicle manual. The vehicle manual is necessary to answer any questions about LATCH and to determine more specifically what the vehicle manufacturer allows when installing car seats. The vehicle manual can also tell you how to lock your seatbelt (something that is necessary to keep your installation tight).
If you take your babies and/or children to the car seat check, it would be extremely helpful to have another adult present to help with the children so you can concentrate on the technician’s instructions and advice. If you have babies or toddlers, you will need your stroller for the babies to sit in while you are working with the car seats. Also, bring items for your children that will keep them entertained and happy: small toys, coloring books, etc. Make sure to bring drinks and snacks for your children and for yourself (preferably not something messy or sticky!).
Do not plan to put your children in the front seat while you and the technician work in the back seat. Technicians should never allow you to place your child in front of an active airbag, even if the vehicle is turned off.
What is the cost for having my car seats checked?
Many car seat checks, both public and private, are free. When you call to find out about a car seat check or to schedule an appointment with a technician, ask if there is a charge for the appointment.
How can I find out about car seat check events?
Car seat check events are sometimes advertised in the newspaper or at the location where they will take place. There are also a couple of online resources to check for upcoming events: the Safe Kids Central Valley website and the California Car Seat Check-Up Events list.
How can I schedule a private car seat check?
Many organizations and businesses provide free car seat checks conducted by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician by APPOINTMENT ONLY. The table below includes information about who to contact in the Fresno and Clovis areas to schedule an appointment. A printable Child Safety Seat Fitting Station Guide also has some of this information.
You can find additional resources in your area using the National CPS Certification Website. If you type in your city and state, you will see more options than if you include only your zip code.
| Contact Information | Availability |
|---|---|
Nickia Thurman |
Open to members and non-members |
Jaime Cobarruvias |
Open to members and non-members |
Isidro Bruno |
Fridays (only in mornings in summer) |
Debbie Lemaster |
1st and 3rd Friday mornings of the month |
Margarita Serrano |
Clovis Residents Only |
Tami Denehew |
M-Th between 9am-7pm |
Paul Solorzano |
M-F during business hours |
Rod Nazario |
M-F during business hours |
Jennifer Mann |
During non-business hours (usually weekends) |
Maryanne Smith, CPST |
Available by appointment
|