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Child Passenger Safety Seat Installation

Parents and caregivers are urged to have their children’s car seats checked by a certified child passenger safety technician when and where available. The East Hartford Police Department provides this free service by appointment only for residents of East Hartford for installation and inspection of child safety seats for proper installation. Certified Child Passenger Safety Seat Technicians from the department will assist with installing safety seats and answering questions.

Available appointment dates and times, excluding holidays are the first and third Tuesdays and Thursdays of each month. Tuesday appointments are available between 10am-2PM and Thursdays 4pm-6pm.To schedule an appointment, please use the My East Hartford service request app or website, and select a preferred date and time. 

    CLICK HERE TO REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT FOR CHILD CAR SEAT INSTALLATION 
    "My East Hartford" is a service request platform where residents can submit requests for various Town services by key word, including child safety seat appointment requests. When submitting the request please enter the location when prompted as your home address, and complete the required form to submit the appointment request

    Please know that use of Child Safety Seats and restraints for minors is the law in the State of Connecticut. Violators of the following requirements will be mandated to pay a fine and attend a 2-hour educational car seat class at the Department of Motor Vehicles

    • LAW:  Infants must remain rear-facing until they are a minimum of both 2 year and 30 pounds. 
    • LAW:  Toddlers must be in a forward facing car seat with 5 point harness until 5 years and 40 pounds. 
    • LAW:  Children should ride in a booster until they reach 8 years old AND 60 pounds (they must meet both requirements). Children who ride in a booster seat must use a lap and shoulder belt.
    • LAW:  Children, tweens and teens must be in a seat belt whenever they ride in a vehicle.
    • Further Recommended: Children should ride in the back seat until they are 13 years old. All people and objects should be properly restrained whenever they are in a vehicle.
       

    IMPORTANT APPOINTMENT REMINDERS & EXPECTATIONS

    Before the Car Seat Checkup

    • Complete the appointment request and required information in the "My East Hartford" Service Request System.
    • Using the car seat instruction manual and the vehicle owner’s manual, try to install the car seat into your vehicle prior to your appointment (if possible). Tip! Check the index of your vehicle owner’s manual for “child safety seats”.
    • Be sure to bring the car seat instruction manual AND the vehicle owner’s manual with you to your appointment.
    • Make sure that the back seat/location of installation is clear and clean.
    • If possible, bring your child with you as well as another caregiver to help while you are learning.
    • Be prepared to learn, not just watch the CPS technician install the car seat. They are trained to teach you.

    Day of Appointment

    • Please plan to arrive 10min ahead of your appointment.
    • Park in the front parking lot of the public safety complex - 31 School Street.
    • Bring the instruction manual for the car seat.
    • Make sure that the back seat/location of installation is clear and clean.
    • Upon arrival check in at the lobby with the desk officer.

    During the Car Seat Checkup

    • Ask to see proof of your technician’s current certification.
    • You will be required to complete a waiver 
    • This one-on-one education typically takes 20-30 minutes, depending on your car seat and vehicle. The technician will take all the time you need until you feel comfortable that your car seat is used and installed correctly.
    • During the checkup, a CPS Technician may:
      • Fill out a car seat check form to document the process (including car seat type, location in vehicle, etc.). The form may be electronic or on paper.
      • Review the car seat selection for your child’s age, height and weight as well as review factors affecting proper use.
      • Review both the car seat and the vehicle owner’s manuals.
      • Ensure that an appropriate seating position in the vehicle is being used.
      • Check the car seat for recalls, visible damage and an expiration date.
      • Guide your installation of the car seat. You are encouraged to ask to learn how to install the car seat in different seating positions with different installation techniques.
      • Discuss the next steps for your child, such as when to move to the next type of car seat.
      • Discuss your state laws and best practice recommendations for occupant safety.
      • Discuss the benefits of everyone riding properly restrained, including all adults.
      • Answer any questions you may have, so ask away.

    After the Car Seat Checkup

    • A car seat checkup is considered a success if you can answer yes to the following questions:
      • Did you perform the installation?
      • Do you feel confident about installing and using the car seat correctly? Please refer to the NHTSA website at www.nhtsa.gov for additional information.

    Addtional Child Safety Seat Resources