Hi,
Am about to be a new parent and in one of the antinatal classes I attended it was mentioned that for insurance purposes all baby seats need to be professionally installed and certified. Is this true?
I can imagine this being incredibly inconvenient especially if you want to move the seat around or take it in and out for whatever reason e.g. cleaning etc.
Am in NSW if that makes a difference
Thank you.
It's so easy. Total scam to pay someone.
Some things are worth doing wrong (teaching your kid to throw a ball, ride a bike). This isn't one of them. I've seen some dodgy installations from mates who watched youtube videos.
IMO, pay an installer, it's only like $100.
Who would even need a you-tube for something this simple?
If is is Isofix, clip in the retainers and pull them tight, connect the top strap to the anchor point and pull it tight.
If it isn't Isofix step one is replaced with "run the seatbelt through the marked path, insert into seatbelt lock and pull tight.
Honestly - you would pay someone $100 to do this? If you can't follow such simple instructions, car seat installation is the least of your problems.
If you haven't seen how it done to similar setup of your car before, then probably worth paying for the first time.
However, in my case, I need to take it off every now and then to fit things, clean when the kids made a mess etc.
So in the long run, more or less you should be familiar with how to properly DIY for your own sake.
Pretty sure the last few installers I went to charged around $45. For $45, was this really worth posting publicly?
Also your local council usually has free installation programs where you get vouchers to use at local baby shops. Check that out.
After it's been installed, feel free to try do it yourself, however use the professional install as a reference point.
no, ISOFIX is as easy as putting on your seatbelt
How will insurer know if its professionally installed unless you tell them?
Similar to how we know who the gays and vegans are I guess
did this for someone for $50. I learnt from the book and it was isofix. easiest money I've ever made.
When they mean professionally installed they mean "needs to be installed properly".
You don't need to be a professional to install. Just read the manual and install it correctly.
just reed it
it not that hard 3 clips
lol…its the easiest thing to instal. Dont fall for it. Its a simple 5-10 min job.
There are plenty of times you will need to remove it for one reason or another so it's best to learn yourself. Took me about 30 minutes the first time, reading the instruction guide then watching a few youtube videos on it. Now it only takes 5 minutes or so.
We also had it done professionally on one occasion but it was done the same as I had done.
What is next, professional seats vacuuming for insurance purposes?
If you haven't done it before, it's nice to get it installed and have them teach you. I did it the first time, and the person who did the install was just a mum that opened a business for selling child seats and installing. She taught me most of what she was doing and explained why and what was important.
She was very honest as well. I asked her about the varying child seat prices, she said it's mostly BS to some extent, between a $100 and a $500 one. They both have had to bath safety tests. But you're paying for the extra padding, which is comfort for the child, and the ISOFIX points, and some of the more easier adjustable features of the seat, otherwise it's mostly a scam once it hits a certain price point.
3 words…
ISOFIX…..ISOFIX…..ISOFIX!
It's almost foolproof. As long as your car is compatible (most are these days. look for the isofix logos/buttons on the rear seat, bottom of the back).
Even its a non-isofix, it's still easy as.
The hardest part is spending the next few years cleaning out the bloody crumbs that accummulate under the seats as the little gremlins attempt to feed themselves.
NOTE!
Regardless of your or some 'professional' installation, they straps do work lose over time and the kids can unbuckle them, so pays every now and then to give them an inspection and adjust as necessary.
I think they said for the back tether, it should be tight enough to just have no slack, but not super tight
Transurban is sponsoring free installs and checks with Kidsafe in QLD, NSW and Vic.
https://www.transurban.com/communities/partnerships-and-gran…
I’d recommend putting it in yourself and getting it checked professionally for peace of mind.
How long does it take you to install in your car doesn't have isofix?
1-2 mins assuming you've done it before
Just as easy and about the same time.
Depending on the arrangement or size of the seating it can even be easier to use non ISOFIX imo.
ISOFIX can be a pain in the ass if all seats a squashed together and you need to squeeze things to get the attachment in.
Also they only last to ~4 years old.
I'm fairly sure it's just the anchor point installation that should be done by a professional. Not all cars have an installed bolt anchor point for the baby seat, most do however. It was probably just either a miscommunication by them or a misunderstanding by you.
Checking this page shows installers need LK6 accreditation: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/children/insta…
This page shows who is certified in qld and what accreditations they have (you need LK6 as mentioned previously): https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/vehicle-safety/find-approve…
Yeah, when my sister rented two seats (had twins) the owners installed them. Was surprised to find it's a Tafe course (installing child restraints).
it's a Tafe course (installing child restraints).
Good lord 😂
I had it done with our first born, paid $30 at one of those baby store carparks.
Was good as it taught me how to do it and have it adjusted.
I could have watched a video….but it's $30 bucks.
I find it hard to believe they have read the PDS for every car insurance policy in the market
I suggest you read your own insurance PDS document
no such thing, just do it yourself they are super easy.
Just pay up
When I became a father and had bought a new seat, I was completely confused as to what goes where especially because it was bought after the baby arrived. I was not getting enough sleep, overwhelmed with joy and anxiety of handling a new baby, I had wished I got someone to install the seat and show me how. I figured it out eventually but yes those moments are not the clearest moments of my life and I think that's why new parents are advised to get professional help.
Check with your local council. They usually have a free service to install child restraints by certified installers.
Observe how they do it so you can do it yourself in future.
Got ours installed last month.
Don’t get baby bunting to install it as many installers there are clueless as I heard from several people.
Stores like baby bunting will normally install it for free if you purchase it from them. But it's a fairly simple process and you will get good at it quickly.
What a load of bullocks. Ggf. Not true.
What is a professional installer? What accreditation do you need to be one?
https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-s…
Read it yourself. Clearly states approved car seats, install it correctly.. recommended to use car seat fitters, not a requirement
New father here.
Installed an isofix baby seat myself.
Plenty of videos on how to do this.
You’ll be fine and congratulations!
You end up becoming a professional once you do it yourself. Ive done it so many times now that its become second nature. Dont need to worry OP, its quite simple especially if the manufacturer has youtube instructions.
It's not hard to do but I've seen stats of 60-90% of seats installed incorrectly so theres clearly a lot of people that think they know…. but don't. I know with ours the back needed to be propped up due to seat design.
I'd recommend getting it installed once and pay attention.
Did they also hand you a business card saying, "Just so happens my partner is a professional installer. "
2 cars. the ISOfix ones are simple enough and very easy to DIY. Recommend you get this if your car has it.
It was good to have the seat belt one done by the professional as they are often installed incorrectly.
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-07-27/….
When I was about to have my first kid I thought about paying for someone to install one. Then I just asked my sister to walk me through doing it. After watching her I could see it was pretty easy. These days I can whip 2 car seats out of one car and in to another in about 10-15 minutes.
I got free council installation in Vic and after watching the lady put it in and how much she adjusted it, I was really pleased I hadn’t tried to fit it myself! It’s really secure, rock solid. If I needed a new car seat installed I’d use the KidSafe service again, it was great.
Is this true?
Sure why not 😂. Remember to take the fellow with you in your car as well. Because u’d never know when you have to take off and re fit the thing every now and then.
I remember having to re do it few times a week and everytime I made a stop at a place when parents were visiting to get access to 3rd row seats. imagine being completely impractical as that 🤪
OP, FWIW
- I was warned by nurses at the hospital that it needs to be professionally installed
- I did, cost me $200… wtf?
- Obviously kids would make a mess if food is allowed in car, which is my case, and we need to remove the car seat for cleaning
- I didn't get it professionally re-installed after each wash
- We later moved to another suburb and there was a (monthly?) free installation service near swimming class….
always wondered what i could do with that $200… it was a ~15mins job from unboxing the new child seat to getting the paper work that certifies the installation
p/s congrats =)
no way this thread is real lol.
I paid someone the first time, it wasn't particularly expensive. They were really great and went out of their way to show me each step and made sure I understood exactly how to do it correctly. Now that I have taken the seats in and out several times it is fairly easy but it did really help to have someone show me the first time.
Baby Bunting can install it for $49.
It is also very easy to DIY. I can recommend Infa Secure car seats. It's super easy to install.
All the mentally challenged people saying peace of mind 😂
Nonsense. You have to take these seats out of the car regularly for cleaning, when transporting large items or if there's a car load of adults to get somewhere. You going to hire a pro to put it back every time?
My father in law tested and designed child car restraints for a living and trust me nobody is more picky and pedantic about these things. If this was a thing, I'd know.
If you can drive your car to the shop to buy the seat, you have the brainpower to figure out how to install it.
Rear facing, click the ISO points in (guessing your car has ISO given that most cars do these days) and then thread the seatbelt style strap through the baby seat and then over the car seat headrest and clip it on.
Pull it all tight and Robert's ya father's brother.
I swap car seats between cars like 3 times a month, it's very basic.
If you can drive your car to the shop to buy the seat, you have the brainpower to figure out how to install it.
Agreed.
If you can't work out how to install a car seat, your probably the type of person that is likely to stick the baby's bottle in the wrong end.
First kid, first time using the seat ? Yes absolutely get a reputable fitter to do it. Watch and take mental notes.
There’s few tips and tricks you’ll get and you’ll know how to do it safely the next time.
Yes, most are probably installed “ok” by everyone who does it themselves, but most are NOT installed as good as they could be and yes there are easily accessible stats on that via google.
Resellers sometimes offer it as free if you buy from them. For Sydney northern suburbs there’s a particularly good seller that sells top rated safety seats and does installs as far south as Ryde.
Otherwise $50 for peace of mind for your kid ? Worth it.
Sometimes council has Free Child Restraint Inspection and Fitting Days, keep an eye on this and once you tried your hands on installation, you can still go there and they will check if it's alright else they will do it for you for free.
Definitely doesn't need to be installed by a professional for "insurance purposes".
I fit our baby capsule myself because it was easy enough to figure out and I had plenty of time to work on it before she was born.
When she moved up to her 0-4 seat though I did opt to have that professionally installed because I wasn't sure how to install it and the installer gave me some useful hints about how to adjust the seat.
We switched cars only about 6 months later and from having watched him install it myself I was able to simply take it out our old car and put it in the new one.
The knowledge was well worth the $49 I paid the first time around in my opinion but each to their own.
If you want to spend your money send it to me and ill come do the 2 minute job for you.
First time parents often fall for a load of rubbish before their kid is born, "professional" seat installs are one of those.
Waste of money
Professional - Performed by persons receiving pay.
Pay your partner to do it and get them to give you a receipt. Job done (professionally).