I have an older infant car seat how can i find out if it's outdated or 'expired' or shouldn't be used?

Question

I have an older infant car seat how can i find out if it's outdated or 'expired' or shouldn't be used?

Answer 1

Often there is an 800 number on those types of products...try calling that.  Also sometimes the local police station could give you an answer. In my town the actually hold events where the check out to see if car seats and properly installed in vehicles, etc.

Answer 2

There is some controversy about the "expiration" date for safety seats.

All experts agree that a seat should be discarded and destroyed if it is more than 10 years old, even if it looks fine.

Most manufacturers suggest replacing a seat 5 to 8 years after the date of manufacture, because current safety seats may have better safety features than older seats, such as a tether or air bag warnings.

The date of manufacture may be found on a sticker on the seat (unless it has peeled off) and may be stamped into the plastic shell.

However, don’t confuse patent dates, which can also be molded into the plastic, with the date the individual safety seat was manufactured.

Answer 3

Most carseats expire after 6 years.  See if there is a date of manufacture somewhere on the seat.  If not, then I wouldn't use it.  You can also try calling the manufacturer to see about recalls.

Answer 4

Good question! Well, if you KNOW you bought it more than 5 years ago, or you got it used from someone else, trash it.

Otherwise, look on the seat. Graco actually imprints the bottom of their seats with a do not use after date. You can also look on the stickers on the seat. Usually on the same sticker with the serial and model numbers should be a date of manufacture or manufacture date. If you can't find one its too old.

Car seats expire 6 years after the date manufacture, no matter when you bought it or how little it was used. This is b/c the materials its made of do get weaker and may not stand up to crash forces. Also, a 6 year old seat or older will not meet current safety regulations and so it won't be as safe as getting a new one.