Used car seat?

Question

A good friend of mine has offered to give me her snap-n-go stroller and a car seat. They are both used. The stroller was only used for a few months time with her son who's now one. The car seat was used by both her son and her daughter. The car seat is 4 years old. It's clean and has everything with it. I'm totally for re-using things but is it safe ?

Answer 1

As the other mentioned as long as it has not been involved in an accident and hasn't passed it's expiration date...there should be something listed on the car seat with the date it was manufactured and I believe an expiration date.  I would do some research but I believe that car seats have a 6yr. expiration, and considering you know the child is 4 you may not know the date it was manufactured.  I suggest you contact your local police department or fire department or hospital, one of them can point you in the direction of how to know if this seat is safe and they will also assist you with knowing how to properly strap in a car seat and if there are any recalls for that particular seat.  

I know where you are coming from, and I did the same thing with my first but I didn't know there were expiration dates, so I bought a new one when my second came along.

Answer 2

I personally would not choose to use a 4-year old car seat. Most of the time they are considered safe, but these companies are constantly researching and putting out newer, safer products.

I understand that taking hand-me-downs are always a nice break to your checkbook. Maybe you should research the exact make, model, & year of the carseat. Sometimes the manufacturer's website will let you know if it is still considered "safe" or not.

Answer 3

check the date on the carseat ...and most recommend that you do not use it for more than 2 children.  Also, make sure that is has never been in an accident.  

The stroller will be fine.

Answer 4

If you can answer yes to all these questions:

1)it has never been in any wreck

2)it has all the original pieces, including manual

3)it has never been dropped, which means never been checked as luggage at the airport, either, since this frequently happens when checked or gate checked .

4)it is less than 6 years old

5)the straps have never been completely submerged or washed with anything other than mild soap(it messes up the flame retardent treatment)

Then its absolutely safe - go for it! IF you find out she washed the straps in a bowl of water or her washing machine, call and order new straps, but then you can use it. If it was missing a manual or something, call and order one. Sounds like you're covering your bases - I would use a 4 year old seat, especially considering the fact that I don't particularly like infant carriers anyways and wouldn't ever buy one again, lol, but they only last 4-7 months anyways! And the snap-n-go is great!

Answer 5

Most car seats have an expiration date.

Check this site before you use it

http://babyproducts.about.com/b/2006/07/...

Answer 6

I personally would not use a used carseat. they expire, you don't know their accident history and sometimes you may not even be aware of a recall.

Answer 7

I'd say go for it on the stroller, but check the expiration date on the carseat. Yes, they have expiration dates. I believe it's either 4 or 5 years.

Answer 8

The seat should have an expiration date on it.  I'd say as long as it hasn't expired, it should be fine to use-as long as it was never in any accidents either.

Answer 9

If you completely trust the person with your child's life, then, yes, it's fine to use a used seat.

I purchased our Graco Snugride new in October 2004.  We used it from January 2005-July 2005.  A good friend had her baby in March 2006 and used it as well.

I wouldn't buy a seat from someone I didn't know and trust, but would if it's someone I know and trust, it's never been in an accident, been cleaned according to the manual and is not expired.

Make sure it's a 5 point harness infant seat, some are still 3 point harnesses and those aren't as safe.