In plain words
A Child Passenger Safety Technician, or , is a person who has completed a national course and passed an exam on car seats, child restraints, and vehicle belts. CPSTs check that a seat is installed correctly in the car and that the harness fits the baby. Many offer free checks at hospitals, fire stations, and community events. Many mothers see one before the baby arrives, and again as the baby grows. A CPST is different from a salesperson at a store, and the check is about fit and installation, not about buying a particular seat. Some hospitals will arrange a check before the baby goes home.
The deeper version
The CPST credential is administered through the Safe Kids Worldwide certification program in partnership with NHTSA, and technicians must recertify periodically. Some hospitals ask for a before discharge, and CPSTs staff most public check events. Studies of car seat misuse report that a large share of seats checked at events have at least one error, most often loose installation or harness position. Education delivered by certified technicians is associated with lower misuse rates at follow-up. Technicians work from the manufacturer's manual and the vehicle manual, and they note that a seat that has been in a crash may need replacement.
Where it comes up
- Going home: the car ride and the first eveningBirth and the First Days
- What to actually register forSupport, Home, and Village
- Car seat: choosing, installing, getting it checkedGetting Ready for Birth
What mothers here say about Child Passenger Safety Technician
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Sources
- Safe Kids Worldwide — Child Passenger Safety Technician certification course
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Car seat check locator and technician program