McLane Black Lake Fire Department
Car Seat Checks
If your child is not properly restrained in the vehicle, the chances of him/her sustaining possible life-threatening injuries from an accident are greater than if the child is restrained. McLane Black Lake Fire Department is unable to provide certified car seat inspections at this time.
However, locations that can provide this service are listed below:
Lacey Fire Department
1231 Franz St. SW, Lacey
3rd Tuesday of each month, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
No appointment necessary
Tumwater Fire Station
311 Israel Road SW, Tumwater
By appointment
(360) 754-4170
Olympia Auto Mall - Thurston County Sheriff's Office
2225 Carriage DR. SW, Olympia
2nd Saturday of each month, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
No appointment necessary
For additional information about child safety seat clinics, call Thurston County Sheriff's Office at (360) 786-5512
There are three stages to proper car seat use. They are:
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Rear Facing Infant or Rear Facing Convertible Seat
Under age one: Always face the baby to the rear of the vehicle. Small, infant-only car seats always face the rear. Convertible car seats face the rear for children up to 22 - 35 pounds.
Over age one: Can continue rear-facing if the child is under the maximum weight limit of your child car seat.
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Forward Facing Seat with Harness
A child uses a forward facing car seat with s shoulder harness up to 40 pounds; this may be a convertible car seat, a forward facing car seat, or a built-in seat.
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Booster Seat with Lap/Shoulder Belts
Safety belts do not fit children correctly until approximately age 8. Under the current law children must be in a belt positioning booster until they reach age 8 or they are four feet nine inches tall. Use a belt-positioning if the vehicle has lap/shoulder belts in the back seat.
For those who have newer vehicles with air bags, it is highly recommended that a child aged 12 and under, remain in the back seat. The powerful force of an air bag (approx 200 miles per hour), is very dangerous when sitting close to it.