Child Passenger Safety Instruction

The Fire District has two firefighters qualified to install car seats as part of the National Child Passenger Safety Program through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

They are here to assist Prospect Heights parents in properly installing child safety seats for their vehicle (at no cost).

(By Appointment Only)

Installation assistance is made by email appointment only.  Sometimes, people wait until the last minute to make an appointment, and our firefighters are not working, which creates a stressful moment for parents.

After you have informed your family and friends and are planning all the to-do’s before the baby arrives, please remember to include time to familiarize yourself and/or loved ones with your car seat.  Setting an appointment early will allow adequate time to get this completed.  

***  Firefighters DO NOT install the car seats -***

They GUIDE YOU in the process and assist in making sure YOU install the seat properly

What should you, as a caregiver, expect

from a Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician?

• The car seat installation experience is an interactive one. As the caregiver, you should leave confident that your child’s seat is installed correctly AND that you are comfortable reinstalling and using it correctly. You should prepare for an education to ensure you have the best experience. 

• If expecting, schedule an appointment 1 to 2 months before Mom’s due date. Many CPS Technicians and their agencies require appointments several weeks before; some moms deliver early.

• If your child is already born, know your child's weight and height. 

• If your child is already born, bring your child with you. If possible, also bring another adult to help watch the child while you are learning. (This may not be practical anymore moving forward.)

• Use the Child Car Seat Instructions to install the seat into your vehicle before your appointment.

• Look up “Child Safety Seats” in your Vehicle Owner’s Manual. You will learn how a child’s car seat should be installed in YOUR car. The Car Seat Manual may not reference the requirements specific to your vehicle. 

• Bring the Car Seat Instructions AND the Vehicle Owner’s Manual to your appointment! 

• Be prepared to learn, not just watch the CPS Technician install the car seat. They're trained to teach you, not install it for you. 

If you need assistance with a child safety seat, don't hesitate to contact program coordinator Jason Hardy at the Fire District at 847-253-8060, or carseat@phfire.com.

One of our car seat technicians will schedule a time for you to bring in your vehicle and car seat for inspection.  The seat instructional check can take up to thirty minutes per seat.