Around the age of 4, or if your child exceeds the weight or height limits of the previous seat, it`s time to switch to booster seats. They lift small bodies to make normal seat belts safe. Another situation that excludes the use of a used seat is not knowing the history of restraint. In particular, was the restraint involved in an accident? Shackles are designed to work once in an accident situation. While many of us are facing uncertain job prospects and increasingly tight budgets over the past few months, parents might be tempted to cut corners and pick up those second-hand items wherever they can. That`s fine in most cases, but when it comes to used car seats, experts have one piece of advice: don`t do it. Look for local organizations that offer free or discounted car seats. In some states, local health departments or county health departments have a few car seats to distribute. Some car seats have the expiration date indicated on the same sticker where you found the model number and date of manufacture. While some car seats that haven`t expired and haven`t had an accident may look terribly dirty and worn, the opposite may also be true. Some very old car seats may still look new, especially if they`ve spent a lot of time on the store shelf or been packed somewhere before use. It is often difficult to collect these details from strangers when buying a used car seat.

Even car seats involved in fairly serious accidents may not show outward signs of damage, but that doesn`t mean they`re always safe to use. Does Target intentionally pass false and unverifiable information to parents? I`m pretty sure the reason Target is so frivolous with its language around car seats is that the company — like many parents — simply assumes the data is in place to back up expiration times. In addition, car seats are often found in a warm car during the summer months and in a cold car in the winter. This exposure to extreme temperatures – as well as direct sunlight in some cases – can lead to the deterioration of the plastic over time. Tying children in car seats and booster seats appropriate to their age and height reduces serious and fatal injuries by up to 80%. As recently as October 2018, Target`s exchange website stated, „Used car seats should not be sold or donated as they expire every six years and regulations are constantly changing.” When I contacted Target to ask if the company could provide a source for this claim, a company spokeswoman responded by referring me to a website sponsored by the car seat industry: Car-Safety.org. However, before you respond to this Facebook Marketplace ad or call your sister back, read these points. They might convince you that using used car seats is often a very bad idea. For those who sell or give away their old car seats, be completely honest about the history and condition of the car seat. Not only could it be personally risky to do so, but it also puts a child at risk. While we generally recommend buying a new car seat, we understand that they can be expensive. We list the models in each budget category in our guide to recommended seating.

In some areas, local health services, Safe Kids organizations, or other nonprofits may distribute free or low-cost car seats to families with limited funding. We are also aware that a used car seat is very likely to be safer than no car seat at all, but the above questions are always very important for your child`s safety. Association of Manufacturers of Juvenile Products. Useful life of car seats. Child passenger safety advocates aren`t there to scare you when buying a new seat when a fully equipped pre-owned seat is available. We just want to make sure parents and caregivers know how to identify a used car seat that can be safely used for your most valuable cargo. A list of state-approved car seats can be found online at healthychildren.org. Among other things, simulations test that the seats prevent children from being thrown out of the car. Particular attention is paid to the protection of the head and chest in accident scenarios. ONLY if you: 1) know the complete history of the seat and can be 100% sure that it has never been in an accident; 2) can determine through labels that it has not been recalled and 3) know that it does not exceed the expiration date, then it is safe to use a used seat.

Professor Kullgren concluded with the letter that Folksam`s recommendation is that as long as a seat has not been damaged or has no damage, it is acceptable to use it. He also noted that the design of the seats is constantly improving, so a consumer who buys a newer seat is likely to get a safer seat. But there is nothing illegal or dangerous about using an older one. I sent a questionnaire with four questions to ten of the world`s largest manufacturers of child seats. I asked about the process by which they determine the safe life of a safety seat, whether material manufacturers (such as plastics companies) are consulted, whether manufacturers rely on data or studies to determine expiration dates, and when expiration dates were first set for seats. NHTSA has a handy visual diagram that allows you to determine what stage your child is at. Child seats are portable baby carriers with a handle that you often see parents of newborns. These seats can be attached to the back seat of the car or engaged in a stroller as part of a travel system. Plus, you want your car seat to be as safe as possible for your child.

But a used car seat may have expired, been recalled, have missing or broken parts, or been involved in an accident. It`s always better to buy a new seat than a used one, and there are ways to find cheap or even free car seats. All car seats sold in the United States are designed to comply with federal safety regulations. However, many car seats sold online do not meet these standards. At the age of about 4, children switch to a booster seat, which helps them adapt to regular car seats. Depending on the speed at which they grow, they are in a child restraint system of one type or another until the age of 8 years. These seats are sometimes marketed on stage 2 seats. They can be directed backwards or forwards.

But I think we have to give the advantage of the doubt. So I went back to Target to ask if they could offer another source for their claims about the dangers of used and expired car seats. The Target spokesperson suggested I read an article from Consumer Reports. I did, but it didn`t answer my questions either. So I turned to Consumer Reports to see if they had any data that proves the flow of car seats. They never answered. The regulation sets minimum requirements for the performance of car seats. To this end, child seats must prove the protection of test dummies in simulated accidents.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also discusses the resale of infant car seats in its handbook for resale stores and product dealers. Like helmets, car seats must be replaced after each accident. The internal protection of the seat may have been compromised, even if it looks good from the outside. A modern and intact car seat is the best protection for a child in the event of an accident. Don`t be put off by the price of a car seat – more expensive doesn`t mean safer. All car seats – whether they cost $40 or $400 – must meet exactly the same safety standards.