With the recent addition of Cybex, a brand that develop and manufacture car seats, strollers, baby carriers and wraps, Regal Lager initiated a Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Certification Training at its facility.
As Cybex is #1 in Europe for excellent car seat safety we felt it was important to understand all aspects of car seats and overall car safety as we distribute car seats to consumers. There are now five certified technicians with the goal of 100 percent of the staff being certified. One of the recently certified technicians, Allen Bourne our Creative Service Manager discusses his experience in the CPS training program.
What steps are involved to become certified by the CPS?
"The National Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Certification Training Program is a standardized training program involving National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Safe Kids and the national CPS Board. There are 32 hours total, with 28 hours of classroom work and 5 hours at a check event, where you teach parents how to install car seats. The curriculum was disseminated through PowerPoint presentations and hands on demonstrations."
Can you explain your experience in the classroom?
"We had two great instructors, Sarah Tilton and Phil Pyrzbylo. It was a very intense course with a lot of information to cover. It was a lot more material involved than what I first expected. However the instructors did a great job in relating the material to the trainees so that we all could understand. There were three written tests, two skills tests and a check event in which you educate parents about proper car safety. You learn the best practices then apply them to Selection Direction, Location and Installation.
How did this training affect you as a consumer, a parent and employee of a company that works with car seats?
"As a tech, my response is the best car seat is the one that fits your baby, car and is one you will use correctly every time. As a consumer, I now see car seats more on an equal plane. Every car seat sold has the basic necessities to keep your child safe. The disparity in car seats are an increase in robust safety features. As a parent I am more aware of my children’s needs and child restraints. I can now teach my family how to correctly restrain my children in other people’s cars. As an employee I can now translate all the things I have learned in class to more intuitive instructions, better warning labels and better information on our websites, of course the best seat is a cybex one."
What was the most memorable experience about the training?
"The car seat check was the most memorable. Interacting with the parents and children was the best experience. The parents were very appreciative and grateful for our help."
Will you build upon your training, by taking more classes?
"I’d like to eventually be an instructor and volunteer often in the community."
Who should take these classes?
"Anyone who sells car seats, who have interaction with car seats and are concerned about their child’s safety - so that should be everyone, right?"
Car Seat Check event at New Baby Proucts.
Left to Right, Front Row: Jeff Durkee,Sarah Tilton, Allen Bourne,Phil Pyrzbylo
Back Row: Dave Milligan Monica Eklund and Rick Duvall.
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