Is the old car seat safe for babies

Frugal parents often ask whether it is appropriate to buy a used car seat from an old car auction or an online auction, or borrow one from a friend or family member. Although used car seats can save money, they can also endanger safety. Usually, you'd better buy a new seat. If you are considering a used car seat, please confirm these important details.

Age and expiration date

Do not buy used car seats unless you can confirm the age of the seat. The manufacturer's label should be affixed to the back or bottom of the seat, indicating the date of manufacture or the specific expiration date. The general rule of thumb is that seat belts with seat belts fail six years after they are manufactured, unless there are different expiration dates on the seats. The heightening seat usually lasts longer.

If you are not sure about the expiration date, call the manufacturer. According to the law, the date of manufacture and the manufacturer's contact information must be on one of the seat labels. If these labels are missing from the car seat, it is best not to use them because they also provide important vehicle information that can alert you to potential recalls (always check if the seat is in a recalled state).

Original parts and manuals

Determine if the old car seat still has all the original parts needed for safety and normal function, as some parts are often lost over time. For example, when a child grows up, the seat belt on the combination seat may have been removed and later replaced without a small part that affects the seat belt function.

Along with the original parts you need, make sure you have a copy of the manual and the manufacturer's instructions, which is necessary to ensure proper installation.

Collision history

You must also know the collision history of the seat (ie, if an accident has occurred). This is important because car seat manufacturers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa) have alternative standards for whether car seats are still safe to use after a collision. Some car seat manufacturers stated that after the replacement of the car seat, any collisions during the period. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other manufacturers make decisions based on whether someone is injured, whether the vehicle airbag is deployed, and how close the collision point is to the baby car seat.

When buying used car seats, it is often difficult to collect these details from strangers. Even car seats that have a very serious car accident may not show signs of appearance damage, but that doesn't mean they are still safe to use.

Trust seller

Buying a used car seat means you have to rely on the seller to give you accurate information. Can you believe that a stranger on eBay tells you if the car seat is crashing? Do you know people who sell in the yard enough to know that they are smart car seats and have maintained car seats according to the manufacturer's instructions? When you believe that a stranger will give you such information, you are actually using the child's life to trust them, so it is important to make a choice wisely. That's why it's usually best to budget a new car seat and cut costs elsewhere if needed.

Don't rely on appearance

Although some car seats that have not expired and have not crashed look dirty and worn, the truth may be the opposite. Some very old car seats may still look new, especially if they spend a lot of time on the store shelves or before packing them somewhere. The car seat in the car accident may not be damaged. No one can visually check the car seat for you, or prove it is safe to use if the history is unknown or it is already in a collision.

If you can't confirm everything mentioned here, the car seat is considered unsafe to use, even if it looks good. The crash will result in weak pressure and structure that is not visible to the outside world, and the old car seat will also be weakened by the hot and cold weather in the car. Unless a used car seat is from a close friend or family member and meets the above criteria, the best option is to purchase a new car seat for your baby.