How serious are car seat expiration dates?
How serious are car seat expiration dates?
Yes, car seats typically expire after six years from the date of manufacture. A sticker that provides the serial number includes manufacture and expiration dates. Of course, the seats don’t dissolve on the expiration date at the stroke of midnight. Even more than feature upgrades, car seats even decay on their own.
Are expired car seats OK to use?
A spokesperson wrote back: “There are no actual rules or regulations in the U.S. about using an expired date car seat.” The U.S. government isn’t oblivious to the possibility that a child safety seat could degrade over time.
Why do child car seats expire?
In general, car seats expire between 6 and 10 years from the date of manufacture. They expire for a number of reasons, including wear and tear, changing regulations, recalls, and the limits of manufacturer testing.
Why do car seat bases expire?
Most car seat bases are good for six years from their manufacturing date. Why do car seats expire after 5 years? Most car seats expire after six years because of wear and tear but also because safety regulations and new technology developments might render older models less safe to use.
Do backless booster seats expire?
Backless and belt-positioning booster seats last for about 10 years. Use one if your child is 40–57 inches tall or 40–100 pounds.
Does Walmart take expired car seats?
Walmart is now offering car seat trade-in events. If you have an expired car seat or even just an old car seat your child has outgrown, hang on to it so you can bring it to Walmart in time for their next car seat trade in!
Does Graco car seat base expire?
Depending on the model, Graco car seats typically last from seven to ten years. A majority of the Graco infant car seats expire seven years after the date of manufacturing. Most of the convertible car seats expire ten years after the date of manufacturing.
How do you tell if a car seat is expired?
In terms of how to tell if a car seat is expired, the best way is to look for a small white sticker somewhere on the seat that contains information like the manufacture date, serial number, model number and car seat expiration date. Other brands have this information imprinted somewhere on the plastic shell.
Do Graco car seat bases expire?
7 years after the date of manufacture. Most Graco car seats have either seven (7) or ten (10) year expiration dates. Review date printed on this model.
Is Walmart giving $30 for car seats?
Recycle any brand of car seat in-store and receive a $30 Walmart gift card. Your car seat protected your child—now protect the environment!
What do you do with almost expired car seats?
What to Do with Old Car Seats? Car Seat Recycling and Donation in all 50 US States
- Give the used car seat to friends or family.
- Donate the car seat.
- Recycle the car seat.
- Throw the car seat in the trash.
Why do baby car seats expire?
How do you know when a car seat expires?
Check your child’s car seat expiration date by referring to the owner’s manual, or by checking the back of the seat for an imprinted expiration date. Generally, most car seats expire after five years of use.
What should I do with an expired car seat?
How to get rid of an expired carseat: Cut the straps. Car seats can’t be used without the straps. Take off the cover, cut it up, or put it in a separate garbage or recycle bin so that it can’t be paired back up with the seat.
Do Car Seat expiration dates really matter?
Car seat expiration dates matter so much when you’re looking for a seat for your toddler or older child. With an infant seat, your baby will more than likely size or age out of the seat before it expires.
How long do car seats last before they expire?
Most car seats last between six and 10 years, but car seat expiration dates vary by manufacturer. The expiration date is often printed on the seat itself; if not, check the instruction manual for each car seat you own or give the manufacturer a call.