Infant Car Seats - Expire?? huh?

[DawnMN26]

Ok I am sooo confused.
A friend of mine just had a baby.
She emailed me and said she would give me her infant car seat when her baby grows out of it, but it expires next year.

HUH??? a car seat expires?
I got a bunch of car seats from my older sister & brother.
Does this mean that I can not use them?
I never heard of this before. I would hate to have to buy all new when i have perfectly used ones.

Anyone heard of this??? Ughhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[thepurlqueen]

They do expire, but I thought they lasted a while. We will have to buy/find a new one for this baby, the Graco Snugride one I have expires this year in December, but I used it for the last 3.

I have never really looked into the reasoning, My own idea is that some have the EPS foam and the plastics and foam can break down over time making them not as durable should you actually be in an accident.

 

[thepurlqueen]

I forgot to say the expiration date should be imprinted on them somewhere so you can look and see when the ones you have do expire.

 

[DawnMN26]

Can you still use them even though they expire?

 

[thepurlqueen]

Well no one is going to stop you or check your carseat if you get pulled over or anything, BUT why would you want to use something for your baby that might not be as safe as it could be.

If money is an issue you may be able to find a program to help you get a new safe carseat. I don't know where you are, but they have one at the children's hospital here and they do car seat checks and will replace your seat for you for free if it's old or damaged.

I know of a few others too, it's worth looking into. I don't advise using an infant seat that's too old, it's just not worth the risks to me.

 

[emma2810]

will it not just be warranty that expires?

I've never heard of this before!i know you're never ment to use a second hand car seat if you dont know who has had it,as obviously you wouldnt know if it had been in an accident.But expire??!!! hmmm that is an interesting one.xx

 

[DawnMN26]

This is my best friend & my sister & brother who all had kids and gave me their car seats that are in great condition and never in a car accident.

I wouldn't use anything that could hurt my baby. I just never heard of car seats expiring?

No money is not an issue, but i figured why buy new when I can use "like new" ones.

 

[AP]

It must be the warranty surely! As long as the seats kept well, how could it expire?

 

[emma2810]

^^^^^ I agree

 

[DawnMN26]

OK i just read on google that car seats do expire not the warranty.

Strangest thing i ever heard. Still not sure if i'm going to toss completely good car seats and buy new ones, when not needed.

My cousin said I could still use the car seats I have just make sure everything is working properly.

 

[Sophist]

Apparently after so many years the plastic gets more brittle, which can cause it to break or shatter in an accident. So I'm told that even if it looks fine and is well taken care of, it still isn't as safe as a newer seat.

Most car seats here in the US last 5-6 years. I was going to get one from my brother, and it expires in December.

 

[juhesihcaaa]

"Technology changes

Car seat technology is always evolving, as are vehicles' ability to secure seats properly and consistently. Before 2002, Lower Anchor & Tethers for Children (LATCH) did not exist. Now it's a common system by which car seats are installed. The same is true of top tethers on car seats and tether anchors in cars. A skilled technician would never think to bypass tether usage if it is an option. This technology exists to make our children safer.

Materials wear out

Plastic stresses and warps. Straps and fabrics fray and rip. Instruction manuals get lost or destroyed. Important instructional labels fade, tear or fall off completely.

Manufacturing landscapes change

Your manufacturer may no longer stock replacement manuals and parts. Maybe the company has gone out of business entirely.

The bottom line is this: Know how to check your car seat's expiration date and vital information. Retire that old car seat and get a new one if necessary. As always, ask for help. Contact a CPS technician for some curb-side instruction."

The above info is from this article:
https://safetysquad.typepad.com/safety_squad/2007/08/why-do-car-seat.html

 

[DawnMN26]

Thanks all.
I just read in my baby book that if you are getting a used car seat from a friend & know that it was never in a car accident & its less than 6 years old, its fine to use it.

Sophist, so u r going to use ur brothers car seat for your baby?

I am going to used the car seats I have, no reason to throw out when they are almost new.