Finding a trusted place to fit a baby capsule or children’s car seat is one of the first decisions a new parent will ever make. When you ensure your car seat or capsule is fitted correctly you are directly reducing the chance of severe injury in the event of an accident. By not having a car seat fitted correctly you risk even the smallest accident resulting in more injury than it would have otherwise.
Who can fit your carseats?
Legislation requires all car seats to be fitted properly and you ARE entitled to fit your own. However, considering the cargo you are protecting, it is worth paying a professional and getting it done right, the first time… and every time after that.
That said, if you are going to do it yourself, then firstly check the most current info on choosing the right restraint, like this found on the RACQ website.
If you want to know more about the correct type of seating for your baby or child, and the current laws involved, then we recommend visiting the Department of Transport & Main Roads.
The professionals
KidSafe offers several installation services across South-East Queensland, including the Sunshine Coast, Kidsafe House Herston, Mater Hospital, Logan Hospital and Springfield Lakes. A mobile service may also be available in your area, subject to availability (surcharges applicable). Bookings are required and discounts may be available for multiple car seat installations per car.
You need to allow around 30 minutes of installation per seat, and it is recommended that you bring along 2 towels that may help to secure a capsule or rear-facing baby car restraint. Kidsafe’s professional child car restraint fitters can also assist with advice and/or configuring child car restraints in your vehicle. Find out more about the KidSafe installation service.
Hire for Baby With branches all around Brisbane and Australia, Hire for Baby is a convenient and comprehensive baby equipment hire service. You can hire breast pumps, capsules and carriers, car restraints, prams, cots, toys and more. They also offer restraint fitting services so you can have the peace of mind that your child’s car seat is installed correctly and safely. Find out more on the Hire For Baby website (affiliate link).
Brisbane Baby Hire charges only $39 for car seat installation and has over 14 years experience with all car seats, capsules, and vehicles. They have been trained and accredited by Kidsafe, and have up to date knowledge of all car seats and vehicles. Brisbane Baby Hire can also visit your home or office for a small additional fee. Leave it in their hands to ensure that your baby capsule is fitted at the correct angle for baby’s safety. Additionally, when you hire a capsule from Brisbane Baby Hire, they will include 2 weeks free to allow for preparation and early arrivals. Open Monday to Saturday. Find out more on the Brisbane Baby Hire website.
Baby Bunting offers a car seat installation service at each of their stores, in Aspley, Capalaba, Fortitude Valley and Macgregor. Bookings for this service are essential and subject to availability. Baby Bunting have an ACRI accredited child passenger safety technician who will install your car seat and demonstrate how to use the restraint properly. From what we hear, the technicians at Baby Bunting have great knowledge of this industry and are extremely informative and helpful, taking you through how to use your car seat in the safest way for you and baby. Find out more at www.babybunting.com.au/car-seat-fitting.
Bubs n Grubs offer a free car seat installation service at their Morningside store if you purchase your car seat from them. Alternatively, they offer the same service for a fee if you buy your seat elsewhere. A 19-Point Safety Check Service is also available. Bubs n Grubs are a Professional Member of ACRI and have multiple trained and accredited Car Seat Installation Professionals. Find out more at https://www.bubsngrubs.com.au/free-car-seat-installation-brisbane.
You can find out about mobile baby seat installation services in Brisbane here – http://www.babyseatfitting.com.au/AboutUs.html.
Are there FREE car seat installation services with Queensland Ambulance Service?
Unfortunately, the Queensland Ambulance Service no longer offers free car seat installation.
When should you fit your baby capsule?
The school of thought on this differs. However, a wise midwife once gave me this advice – she said: “We will not let you drive away from the hospital without a baby capsule in your car AND the last thing you will want to think about in the time after birth is finding and getting one fitted, so fit it as soon as a hire place will let you!”. Obviously, it pays to wait until your final trimester if you are paying to hire a seat, BUT don’t leave it until the last week – trust us! Most importantly, you need to book the hire of car seats early in your pregnancy to avoid the potential for there being none available when you need it.
Feel free to share your installation and car seat hire experiences below in the comments.
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