can you use an expired car seat

The plastics on car seats grow brittle with age and won’t protect baby the same way. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer. Where it’s just an improper restraint violation, the cost of the ticket is generally half the cost of a car seat plus associated court fees. If you’re unsure where your state stands on the issue, contact your local police station or CPST technician. If you can’t find the date, contact the car seat manufacturer. I succesffuly made this work 3 years ago using ES explorer. Would love to use it if we still can. You need this information to find out if there is a recall on the car seat or if the seat is too old." A new mom receives a car seat as a baby gift and learns it expired 2 years ago. If the car seat is expired, it shouldn’t be used again with a child in it. They’ll probably tell you the same that using an expired car seat isn’t a good idea, but if they don’t I’d love to hear it. reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. That car seat expired 2 years ago. Unexpected $2.99 or $6.99+tax charge from Amazon Digital Services? We got a replacement tablet and I did everything I had done before, but ES... as I recall you can download a file explorer from Amazon - ES File Explorer was what I used then, there're a few. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The car seat may allow them to remain rear facing for longer and it’s recommended that parents follow the manufacturer’s rules for use. At a year or two past that it’s potential plastic breakdowns based on use. However, you can reuse or pass along the seat if it’s still in good condition … And where the car seat has been involved in an accident where the seat failed they can pretty much write a running tally of what you’re guilty of. One accident and you’ve got a trail of tickets, fines, or worse yet an injured infant. Cleaning a Boon Winter Grass Countertop Drying Rack. If your little one is moving up to a new “big kid” car seat, you can roll that gift card over to the purchase of a new car seat or booster. Paul King lives in Nashville Tennessee with his wife, two daughters and cats. It's perfectly understandable to want to find ways to be thrifty where you can, but before you buy a car seat secondhand, you should know — is an expired car seat unsafe… MENU Life However if you want to skip the article, get a non-expired car seat – it’ll save you money when you get pulled over the first time and allow you to sue in the event of a car seat failure. Your options are that it’s flat out illegal and you’re getting a ticket, or that you fall into the category of having an improperly restrained infant and you get a fine or citation. Car seats need to be replaced all the time, Lewis said, whether they’ve expired, have been involved in any type of car accident, or a child has just outgrown it. See more ideas about child car seat, car seats, seating. Simply put, if your kid isn’t old or big enough to fit properly in the vehicle’s seat, you will most likely need to find and buy a suitable replacement. In the places I can find where it’s flat out illegal, the cost of the ticket is roughly the cost of a car seat. He writes for Pocketables, theITBaby, and is an IT consultant along with doing tech support for a film production company. We were planning to use our son’s old car seat for the baby. this! I don’t know what police’s crackdown requests are on expired booster seats, but it’s not a particularly large safety issue, unlike an infant car seat. You can be the judge of whether or not you want to risk having a potentially stressed piece of plastic fail causing the seat to unlock and fly free. A sticker that provides the serial number includes manufacture and expiration dates. I’ll point out that you probably ought to call ahead as those places tend to get abandoned rather regularly when there are fires, so the only person who might be qualified to look at your seat might be stomping on fires. I wouldn’t. You’re probably not going to harm them within a couple of years of expiration, but why bother? at the hospital i work at they check the expiration date of the car seat before discharge. While the law doesn’t explicitly prohibit the use of an expired car seat, some states to have “proper use” clauses making it mandatory to respect safety standards. Should you be interested in helping out the site financially, it'd be much appreciated and most likely go into a diaper fund, or for beer, who knows. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Other manufacturers may print it inside the instruction manual. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. It absolutely isn't worth saving a couple hundred dollars to use an old, expired car seat that may not protect your child in a serious accident. God forbid something happens, you would never forgive yourself. And anyone found violating the law would be subject to a $50 fine. This is a loophole in the law. When can a child face forward in a car seat in Ontario? Your initial expiration window is probably the manufacturer’s covering their ass. Some hospitals check the expiration date and won’t let you leave with an expired car seat. You could trade it in, but then it'll probably just end up getting thrown away. A child can face forward after they reach 9 kg or 20 pounds. I’m a guy who reuses everything until it breaks and I wouldn’t do +5 on a restraint system. I’ll point that out here. If you don’t trust me - google it. (Find out why here: bit.ly/1EosiGY) Here are some creative ideas for "upcycling" -- or reusing the various parts -- to keep that much less from landing in the landfill. We are reusing my 2 year olds car seat. Why don’t many caregivers know car seats expire? The rest it varies. Car seat expiration dates matter so much when you're looking for a seat for your toddler or older child. Although parents can still use car seats … From everything I have read, it is completely legal to use an "expired" car seat, anywhere in Canada. Yes, car seats typically expire after six years from the date of manufacture. Convertible seats are typically used for at least 2 to 3 years before kids are ready to transition to combination seats (car seats that start out as a 5 point harness and then turn into a booster) If you are buying a booster seat, it should last until your child is AT LEAST TEN YEARS OLD, since more than 50% of kids still need a booster at age 10. Dad managed to find some car seats, they turned out to all be expired, and that got me to researching whether using an expired car seat was mildly bad or extremely bad. Depending on where you live, it might be illegal to use an expired car seat. Some bloggers suggest taking these into fire stations for review, but that ain’t gonna work unless they’ve got really high tech testing gear. Don’t risk it! So it might be because I’m hormonal,or crazy, or I just hate being this unprepared but I have absolutely nothing for this baby. Oh yeah, on a side note I make money on my own blog when I sell you car seats if you click my links. Walmart also offered a trade in program. I'll check this out tonight unless it's chaos - I think in the new version of FireOS you have to go into the adult profile, share the app with the kid in order for it to even be seen. They’ll probably tell you the same that using an expired car seat isn’t a good idea, but if they don’t I’d love to hear it. Given the possible risks involved with using an expired seat, making sure it is disposed of properly is crucial. My 9mo is still in the infant car seat but he’s clearly getting too big for it, even being in the 1st percentile. I believe target and Walmart both have a trade in policy where you’ll get something towards the new car seat. This is an excellent deal! Check that the car seat comes with warnings, guidelines for use, installation instructions and date of manufacture. Walmart Car Seat Recycling. They contain no restraints, they just sort of lift a kid up a bit. So I have an infant car seat, but it’s technically expired as of six months ago, since I have a 7.5yo. Anyway, same idea. The expiry date of a car seat is just a manufacturer's recommendation (which, as noted above, is not based on testing or any objective standard) and has no force in law. Check to see if the local fire brigade or Red Cross can use your expired car seat for any child safety seat classes or demonstrations. Earlier, we discussed not selling or donating a car seat if it has been in an accident, is expired or was recalled. Its parts will break down from wear and tear over time, so it isn’t safe to use anymore. Make sure you know the ENTIRE history of the car seat. Six to twelve years (check your car seat manual for the life of your seat) is a LONG time to use a car seat. Using an expired car seat is illegal and can result in a ticket of $175 in Saskatchewan. ... "You don't know the history of the car seat. It sort of depends on your definitions. I am a certified car seat technician and yes it's illegal to use an expired car seat. The expiration date is usually either printed on a sticker or embossed into the plastic. In general, car seats expire between 6 and 10 years from the date of manufacture. Expired used car seats for sale online are illegal - and potentially unsafe. At a little over two years after expiration it’s assumed that plastic and nylon may start wearing. Contact your local recycling plant. They expire for a … If you feel a message or content violates these standards and would like to request its removal please submit the following information and our moderating team will respond shortly. Make sure the car seat's restraint and the anchoring system are in good working order. It’s in great condition, no visible cracks, it hasn’t been through any accidents. What the retailer, industry groups and safety experts have to … I looked around a bit and found, as I usually do, a lot of conflicting information from people who think they know the law. Don’t use it anymore – if you keep using an expired car seat, you’ll put your child at risk. Car seatexpiration dates are put into place to give you an idea of the seat’s lifespan. A secondhand or expired car seat may well be safer than no car seat at all if you absolutely cannot afford a new one and cannot find a free distribution program in your area, but the concerns above are still valid. So, there are two or three states where it’s a moving violation. How to dispose of expired seats Rather, car seat manufacturers decide them based on a set of general guidelines. The plastic breaks down over time. I’ll point out that you probably ought to call ahead as those places tend to get abandoned rather regularly when there are fires, so the only person who might be qualified to look at your seat might be stomping on fires. I have been told they are good from 5-10 years though. Car seat technicians tell parents to “destroy” the car seat. But you have to see when they do it . The short answer is maybe, maybe not — because car seats have expiration dates. I, and pretty much any other blogger dealing with car seats make money when you click links to awesome cow print car seats. Well, that and where you live. Do not give the seats to friends or relatives, donate them … One of those paths they’re restrained better, the other you’re more likely to be exhausted and get into an accident. We were given old car seats by my SIL and we did the trade in a Target. My husband thinks it’s an arbitrary timeline and since there’s never been any damage to the seat, we should just use it again now, since baby will only be in it for the first year. "We want to make sure that an expired seat will not be used again," Dr. Hoffman says. It was used for just 1 baby for about 2 years. Just because they look ok doesn’t mean they are. So, financially you’re probably going to want to keep that expiration date relatively close. One ticket and you’ve spent a large chunk. Some plants will recycle the plastic, although many do not. Here’s the problem though, without doing an x-ray of the plastic and an elasticity test, there’s no real way to determine if the seat still is useful at all. I personally wouldn't risk it. Learn more about, Best Travel System Strollers for New Parents. It’s a pretty easy thing to figure out. You should dispose of seats with expired dates. ours said they will warn you its expired and have you sign something . They have expiration dates for a reason. In my nearby hospital they check car seat and installation. 1  While you might think it's just about selling more of their products, there are several safety reasons manufacturers place expiration dates on car seats. However, keep in mind I’m just some dick on the internet telling you this. Make sure the car seat is not past the lifespan recommended by the manufacturer. To ensure your child is safe, it’s important to follow the expiry date. To find the expiration date on the car seat, just flip it over and look on the back or on the bottom. This means cutting the harness straps and removing the padding prior to recycling the car seat or putting it in the trash. You should not use child car seats and booster seats past their expiry date. At eight years the seat will not spontaneously erupt into flame killing you and everyone you love, however the manufacturer will only guarantee their plastic and nylon and whatever else will be solid and strong for that amount of time under most conditions. When is the right time to switch? The United States Highway Transportation Safety Administration says there is no regulation prohibiting parents from using an expired car seat, but on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website, parents are advised "The seat has labels stating date of manufacture and model number. We respect everyone’s right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expect’s Terms of Use. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Feb 18, 2015 - What to do with an expired child's car seat? If you need to dispose of your [expired] car seat … then you should cut the straps of the harness so someone doesn’t try to re-use the expired seat for their child.” Evenflo states: “Each manufacturer sets an expiration date for its car seats … Most car seats should be replaced every six years.” Discovering the car seat expiration date Hint: you need to x-ray for microscopic cracks and test the elasticity of all the components and check the restraint weaves for fraying. An expired car seat may not protect your child because over time the plastic may crack, reducing its ability to withstand a crash. This action cannot be undone. In this particular case you’re reading something from someone who admits he thinks he knows the law…. Local fire brigades will also sometimes destroy your expired car seat for you, if there is no recycling in the area. Use the interactive tool to help you decide whether it’s safe to reuse that car seat or whether it’s time to retire it altogether. All used car seats must meet the following three criteria: 1) Never been in an accident, 2) not expired, and 3) straps haven’t been cleaned with harsh chemicals. Does anyone know how to find out if your car seat is expired. Buy a new one. We bought it for my now 5 year old. It’s completely unsafe to place a baby in an expired seat. To help ensure a car seat won’t be used after expiration, it is a good idea to remove the cover, cut or remove the harness straps, write “DO NOT USE, EXPIRED” on it with a Sharpie, and place it in a black garbage bag before taking it to be recycled or disposed of. I don’t really know much of anything about car seats. You do the math. I make money when you buy stuff from my Amazon links, so feel free to buy this amazing looking zebra print booster seat to spite my assertions that an expired booster seat probably isn’t a hazard. Think of a pair of hockey skates. Are you sure you want to delete your comment? I learned today that car seats can expire. So feel free to go out, find all the information you want about aged plastic safety and expiration dates being BS, and the chance that you’re going to be pulled over within the two to three year window in which you’d be using the expired car seat, and post it below. Most seats are stamped with the expiry date on the back or bottom of the seat. As a note, I did a pretty lengthy review of plastic stresses after something that had been sitting around made of the same basic plastic as a car seat spontaneously broke. A car seat or booster seat that has expired should be permanently disposed of so it cannot be reused by any one else. Whether this wear is minimal, or extreme because you sit the carseat in the blazing sun in Arizona and in Minnesota in winter, depends on you. Baby M’s growing, and about to burst out of her Graco Snugrides that our friend loaned to us, so we’ve been looking for some larger seating for our rapidly expanding baby and also looking to save a bit. Walmart announced they are accepting used car seats for recycling, and in return, you will receive a $30 Walmart gift card. I’ve bought new car seats for all of my kids. © 2020 Everyday Health, Inc. I can’t calculate the cost of a newish car seat vs the cost of having to work more hours so you’re now a tired driver with an infant in a new car seat. I'll be back tonight and take a look, but I did it from the non-child profile,... What's this charge from Amazon FreeTime Unltd 866-216-1072? Booster seats are a different story. The manufacturer, seat model and date of manufacture have to be printed on the seat but the expiry date isn't always , they can just state it in the seats manual. You can find the expiry date in the instruction manual or somewhere on the back or bottom of the seat. If you get in a wreck and/or something happens to baby, because the car seat is expired you will not be given another car seat which you normally would (by your insurance or the other person involved), I don’t even know if baby’s injuries would be insured because baby wouldn’t technically be “safely secured”- like riding without a seatbelt, and the hospital may also not let you go home with baby in an expired seat after delivery.

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