Keeping a child safe on the road takes more than owning a car seat. The seat must be right for the child, compatible with the vehicle, installed correctly, and used correctly on every trip. DeKalb County families can now turn to someone close to home for trained, hands-on help.

Sergeant Josh Stein of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office is a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). He can work directly with parents and caregivers to inspect child safety seats, identify common installation or fit concerns, and teach families how to use their seats confidently.

What does a Child Passenger Safety Technician do?

A car seat check is an educational, hands-on appointment. Sgt. Stein can help a caregiver review whether a seat is appropriate for the child’s age, height and weight; check how the seat fits the vehicle; review rear-facing and forward-facing installations; examine booster seat and seat belt fit; and explain harness, lower-anchor, seat belt, and top-tether use.

The goal is not simply to install a seat for someone. It is to help the caregiver understand and practice the process so they can correctly secure the seat and child on every ride.

What qualifies a certified technician?

National Child Passenger Safety Certification is managed by Safe Kids Worldwide using a curriculum developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The intensive certification course usually lasts three to four days and combines classroom instruction, hands-on work with car seats and vehicles, written quizzes, practical skills assessments, and a community safety seat checkup event. Candidates must attend the full course and pass every required assessment.

That training gives technicians the knowledge and communication skills to help families navigate the many combinations of children, restraints, and vehicles found in the real world.

What should families bring to a seat check?

• The child, when possible
• The child’s current height and weight
• The child safety seat and its instruction manual
• The vehicle owner’s manual
• The vehicle in which the seat will normally be used

A typical one-on-one inspection takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the seat, vehicle, and questions involved.

Schedule an appointment

To request a child safety seat inspection with Sgt. Josh Stein, call the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office at (260) 925-3365. Learn more about the service and appointment preparation on our Child Passenger Seat Safety service page, or visit Sgt. Stein’s officer profile.