Car seats are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment a parent can buy for their children. Unfortunately, they’re also one of the most commonly recalled products in history. And that’s not good news for parents who want to make sure their kids are safe. Currently, there is a class-action lawsuit underway against car seat manufacturer Graco over the use of a flame retardant in their seats. The suit alleges that this chemical has caused health problems in children who have been exposed to it. The problem is that this type of chemical has been banned in other countries and yet it continues to be used in car seats here in the United States. This presents a serious risk to child safety and we urge you to learn more about flame retardants and how they can affect your family.
What are Car Seat Flame Retardant?
Car seats have been around for over 40 years, and as technology has evolved, so too have car seats. Car seats come in a variety of materials and styles, but all of them use flame retardant chemicals to help prevent fires from occurring while a child is in the vehicle.
There are two types of car seats: convertible and forward-facing. Convertible car seats can be used with infants up to 12 months old, while forward-facing car seats can be used from 6 months old until the child reaches their first birthday. Both types of car seats use flame retardant chemicals to help keep children safe in the event of a fire.
The most common type of flame retardant chemical used in car seats is polyurethane foam. Polyurethane foam is sprayed with a polymer that creates a fuel for an Ignition Source Defector (ISD), or spark that can start a fire. In order for this foam to work, it needs to reach temperatures over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s why it’s important that you replace your car seat every five years even if it looks like it’s not showing any signs of wear. Over time, the polyurethane foam will break down and flammability will increase.”
What are the Risks Associated with Car Seat Flame Retardant?
There are a few key risks associated with car seat flame retardant. The most significant is that the chemicals can release toxins when they’re burned, which can harm both you and your child. Additionally, the chemicals may also interfere with the body’s natural ability to protect itself against heatstroke.
Flame retardants can also attack materials like fabric and foam, potentially leading to fires in cars and other places where these products are used. And finally, exposure to flame retardants over time may lead to health problems like cancer.
How Can You Protect Yourself from Car Seat Flame Retardant?
If you’re planning on using a car seat that uses flame retardant chemicals, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with these materials.
Flame retardant chemicals can come in a variety of forms, including additives in the fabric and padding of car seats, as well as the actual fire-fighting chemicals used in the formulation.
The problem with these materials is that they can easily catch fire if they’re exposed to heat or flame. This means that if your car seat is subjected to a fire, the flame retardant chemicals could potentially spread the fire and create serious safety hazards for you and any children sitting in the seat with you.
There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from this type of danger: always keep your car seat in a safe location when not in use, make sure it’s properly installed and fastened into your vehicle, and never leave it unattended while parked. If anything does happen and your car Seat catches on fire, stay calm and use common sense to protect yourself and those around you.
Conclusion
With so many babies being born in the U.S. each year, car seats have become an essential safety tool for parents. Unfortunately, some new car seats are not equipped with flame retardant materials, which has led to a number of fires in recent years. According to The Huffington Post, there have been at least 21 reported cases of children dying from car seat fires since 2014, and experts believe that the actual number is much higher because most cases go unreported. If you’re thinking about buying a new car seat, make sure to check whether it’s flame retardant-equipped and if not, find one that is.