Child Passenger Safety Program

The South Barrington Police Department has trained officers who have completed a 32-hour training class as Child Passenger Safety Seat Technicians.  As a public safety department, we receive calls with questions and requests for help with installation of car seats.  National averages indicate that 80% of Child Safety Seats are installed incorrectly.

The inspection includes looking at the child in the seat upon arrival to evaluate how the child fits in the seat.  We ask questions about the child (age, weight, height) to verify that the seat is appropriate for the child.  The seat is then checked for proper installation.  The technician uses the inspection as an education time.  The technician records the model number and date of manufacture and checks recall information on the seat.  The technician explains and demonstrates installation of the seat.  The seat owner then completes the installation on their own.  The child is placed back in the seat to confirm proper fit and the inspection is concluded.  We encourage people to read the instruction manual for the seat and the owner’s manual for the vehicle and bring it to the inspection.  The average inspection takes 30 minutes and can last up to 90 minutes.  A two-minute checklist is provided to everyone at the time of the inspection.  Additional child safety seat information can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov  or the Automotive Safety Program website at www.preventinjury.medicine.iu

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with a certified child safety seat technician, please call the South Barrington Police Department, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.  Inspections are done by appointment only and done for South Barrington residents ONLY.