As for the environmental impact, would it be nice if we could keep car seats out of the landfill? There are also options available to recycle your car seat, which I suspect will become more accessible with time. An older car seat that's been passed down from friends or family might look like it's in great condition.
But it is unlikely to have recent lifesaving technologies. Additionally, a used car seat may not have all the original parts. If you think a part is missing, check the manufacturer's manual. Do not use the car seat until any missing or damaged parts have been replaced. It's important to be aware of any regulatory changes that govern car seat safety standards. If regulations change, the product you purchased may no longer be in compliance.
Expiration dates ensure that the seat you're using isn't missing important updates. Keep all car seat instructions and manuals in a safe place where you can easily access them to find safety information, usage guidelines, or how to contact the manufacturer.
If the original physical copy is lost, you can usually find the most recent version on the manufacturer's website. Car seats were not made to last forever. As with many products you purchase, the quality of the car seat degrades over time as the materials begin to wear out. However, the breakdown may not be visible to the naked eye, so the expiration date is important. The life span of a car seat is typically six to 10 years, but a few seats have shorter life spans.
If a car seat has not yet expired but is under a recall, be sure to follow the instructions to repair the seat and make it safe to use. This usually involves getting a recall repair kit for free from the manufacturer. Rarely, a car seat may not be salvageable—in which case the recall will instruct you to discontinue use and destroy it. You can always find out if the car seat you are using has been recalled by simply calling the manufacturer.
A sticker with the company's customer service number is required to be on the car seat. If you can't locate it, a quick Google search can help you find the number to call.
The NHTSA has a searchable registry of recalls , as well as a checklist for determining whether a car seat that was involved in a car crash is safe to use. When in doubt, parents should call the manufacturer directly. Whatever you do, just remember the most important thing, which is to use a carseat, no matter what. Sign up for the Fatherly newsletter to get original articles and expert advice about parenting, fitness, gear, and more in your inbox every day.
Please try again. Give us a little more information and we'll give you a lot more relevant content. But he didn't get a clear answer.
Most companies did not reply or declined to comment. He tells Motherly he was stunned that companies that use expiration dates on their products and marketing were unable to substantiate the claim that car seats degrade to the point of being unsafe after six years of existence.
Neither Minter or Motherly could uncover a specific study that is the basis of this rationale. 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. You need this information to find out if there is a recall on the car seat or if the seat is too old.
What could happen if a car seat is "too old? There is research to backup the first point. Exposure to sunlight can indeed damage plastic, but neither Minter nor Motherly were able to find any research that specifically looked at car seats, and how the plastic used in them might degrade when subjected to standard use in vehicles.
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