When you’re out and about looking for a car seat, it can be tough to know which one is right for your family. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which one is actually expired. In this blog post, we will go over the different signs that your car seat may have expired and how to handle the situation. From there, you will have a better idea of when to buy a new car seat and avoid potential safety risks.
The Different Types of Car Seats
There are a few different types of car seats, and knowing what type is best for your family can be confusing. Here’s a look at the different types of car seats, their features, and how they work:
Infant Car Seats: These are the simplest type of seat. They usually only fit infants up to about 12 months old, and they don’t have any safety features. Infant car seats should only be used if you’re using them in your own car.
Toddler Car Seats: These seats are designed for children between 1 year and 4 years old. They usually have more safety features than infant car seats, including protection from side impacts and forward-facing restrictions. Toddler car seats should always be used in a rear-facing position until your child is age 2 or 3, and then they can switch to a front-facing position.
Child Safety Seat: A child safety seat (CSS) is the best option for most kids between the ages of 5 and 8 years old. It has protection from side impacts and forward-facing restrictions, as well as an adjustable harness that lets you customize it to fit your child’s size and weight. If you plan on using your vehicle for long trips—more than 10 hours—you’ll need to buy a special type of CSS called an advanced restraint system (ARS). ARSes use heavy-duty straps to keep your child safe in even the
The Basics of an Expired Seat
How can you tell if a car seat is expired?
There are a few things to look for when determining the age of your car seat. The label should state the expiration date, and the fabric may start to wear or show signs of fading. If you’re not sure whether or not your seat is still current, contact the car maker or a certified child safety technician.
How to Check if a Car Seat is Expired
If you’re thinking about using your car seat in a later date, there are a few ways to determine if it’s still safe to use. One way to check is to look for the expiration date printed on the back of the car seat. If it’s within the manufacturer’s suggested expiration date, you can assume that the car seat is still safe to use. However, if the date has passed or if there is no date stamped on the back of the car seat, then you should replace it with a new one.
When checking your car seat’s expiration date, be sure to also check its weight and size specifications to make sure they match those of your vehicle. For example, most infant seats expire after 6 years and weigh between 4 and 8 pounds; while most convertible seats expire after 5 years and weigh between 9 and 18 pounds.
How to Replace an Expired Seat
If your car seat is more than a year old, it is time to replace it. Expired car seats can no longer be used in the car, and can cause serious injuries in a crash. Here are three ways to tell if your car seat is expired:
The label on the car seat should state when it was made or last modified. If the expiration date has passed, the sticker will be off or the print may have faded.
Your child should not be using the expired seat. If you notice that your child has been using an expired seat, take them to see a doctor as soon as possible as using an expired seat can increase their risk of injury in a crash.
If you’re having trouble determining when your car seat was made or last modified, you can look online or ask your dealer or manufacturer.
Conclusion
It’s always important to be aware of the expiration dates on all of your food and household items, especially when it comes to safety. With that in mind, here is a guide on how you can know when an infant car seat has expired. If you have any other questions about storing or using your car seat, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at our toll-free number. We want to make sure that you and your child are as safe as possible while travelling in the car.