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If you’re looking for the answer to “how long are car seats good for?” then this blog post is just for you! Focal Upright will be discussing what makes a seat expire,when does it expire, and how to tell if your seat has expired.
It’s important that we all know when our seats have expired because they can become unsafe. Car accidents happen often and we want to make sure that we’re taking care of ourselves and our children in the event of one happening.
So, now let’s look at our article to get in-depth information about car seats.
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Can I Reuse My Current Car Seat For A Second Child
When you have kids, you want them to be safe. This is why most parents purchase a new car seat when their first baby arrives. But, if you already own one, can you use that same car seat with your next kid? The answer is yes. There are certain things that you need to know before you decide whether or not you should buy another car seat.
If youâre planning on having more than one child, then you might want to consider purchasing a larger car seat. If you donât plan on having any other children, then you can keep using the original car seat. However, if you do have plans for a second child, then it would make sense to invest in a bigger model.
Another thing to consider is how old your existing car seat is. Itâs important to remember that youâll need a newer version of the same type of car seat when your older child grows out of his or her infant car seat. For example, if you currently own an Infant Car Seat by Graco, then youâre going to need a Newborn and/or Forward-facing car seat for your toddler.
Still, there are some downsides to buying a second car seat. First of all, the price is usually higher.
Product Reliability And Performance
Under the influence of the elements, just about any material you can find in the world starts to degrade over time. Unfortunately the materials used in car seats are no exception to that rule.
Car seats have to deal with quite intense changes in temperature, often going from freezing, when the car is parked outside at night, to very hot, when parked in the sun on a warm summer day. Add the influence of UV radiation to the equation and you can rest assured that the plastic parts will lose their strength and become brittle as time passes by.
Just look at the steering wheel or the dashboard of a 15 year old car that has been parked outside and you will know exactly what I mean. That said, the plastic can last much longer than the provided useful life of the car seat but without an expiration date car seats might be used beyond the point where the material retains its needed strength and flexibility.
Fun fact: Beverage crates, that are also made out of PP like car seats, have a guaranteed lifespan of 20 years and last up to 30 years in all weather conditions before they start to crack. This is not to say that expiration dates are useless but you can be sure the plastic still does its job, even when your car seat comes close to the end of its useful life as provided by the manufacturer.
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Car Seat Expiration Dates
Below are several tables including expiration date guidelines from five top car seat manufacturers, including Graco, Britax, Chicco, Evenflo, and Safety 1st. Expiration date indications and user guide links are listed for each brands infant car seats, convertible seats, and boosters. Remember, be sure to check out our annual reviews of the best infant car seats, the best convertible car seats, best booster car seats, and over 75 baby product review categories! These are current for 2020, and we will continue to update them as new models emerge and expiration ranges change.
Do Infant Car Seats Expire
Yes. Every single infant and toddler car seat has an expiration date. While the exact expiration date varies by manufacturer, it is usually six to seven years. And if the car seat has been involved in an accident, it shouldnt ever be used again.
Helpful Note
Most car seats have an expiration date of six years from their manufacture date. Keep in mind that the manufacture date isnt the same as the date you purchased your car seat. Always check the expiration date before buying a new car seat.
We regularly review the best infant car seats available from brands such as Graco, Britax or Chicco. Whichever brand you choose, every car seat expires.What about the car seat base? The same applies to the base that you use to attach the infant car seat in your car. For the reasons that we explain below, they also have an expiration date and shouldnt be used past that date.
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How To Find The Expiration Date On Your Car Seat
Your car seat expiration date is important because it tells you when you should stop using your seat. Another reason it matters, is that materials break down over time, which directly affects how safe your seat is for your child. In this article, Ill show you how to find the expiration date on your childs car seat so that you can make sure your child is as safe as can be while out and about. Do you want to know what else is affected by your expiration date so you can better understand why its so important? See more reasons here: What do car seat expiration dates mean?
Car Seat Expiration: Just How Long Are Car Seats Good For
Like that half-eaten container of baby food, your car seat has an expiration date, too.
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So youve just found out baby number two is on the way. Congratulations! Parenthood is a wonderful calamity of love and sleep deprivation, and were sure youll be an excellent parent. After the shock wore off and you rummaged around for your original car seat in the attic, a thought entered your head: Just how long are car seats good for?
Well, fine sir or madam, you might be surprised to hear that car seats do indeed have an expiration date, in part because safety regulations are in a constant state of flux and seat manufacturers are always looking to improve car seat safety. As with anything, parts are put under strain or fail and over time, the structural integrity of the car seat can become compromised.
Luckily, you have The Drives crack How To department to give you the 411 on just how long cars seats good for. As far as what to expect when youre expecting, well, get your naps in now.
Jonathon Klein
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Pieces Can Go Missing
Tiny parts can go missing. Convertibles are especially prone to losing moving pieces as you to switch from one mode to another. It may be in pristine condition on the outside, but the missing or dislocated parts inside will reduce the seats effectiveness.
On the other hand, manufacturers will not keep an inventory of spare parts of an outdated model for long. Meaning replacement parts wont be an easy find.
What Are The Types Of Car Seats
It’s essential to know the differences between car seat types before we discuss expiration dates. There isn’t one universal code for car seats. There are three types of car seats. Here is the breakdown:
Rear-facing: Car seats that face forward are suitable for infants who are at least two years old.
Front-facing: Car seats that face the front are made for older toddlers. They can expand to fit larger children, depending on their weight and height.
Booster Seats: Booster Seats are for children who are not yet old enough to use a regular car seat. As the front and rear-facing seats in the car, Booster seats are dependent on the child’s height and weight.
On the website of car seat manufacturers, you can find out what weight and height requirements they have.
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What Is The Best Infant Car Seat
Every car seat sold in the US must meet the same federal safety standards set forth by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. While each individual state may have their own guidelines around car seats , any seat sold in the US must meet the same benchmarks around safety and installation. You can be reassured that spending less money on a car seat doesnt mean its any less safe.
So what will a more expensive infant car seat get you? More expensive seats often means more extras like luxury materials, larger canopies, easier installation and potentially some additional safety features not currently required by law.
Here are some factors to take into consideration when choosing the best infant car seat for you and your family:
For more details about car seats, read our How to Choose a Car Seat guide.
Is It Ok To Use An Expired Car Seat
This seems like a very straightforward question with a simple answer. In a perfect world the answer would be:
No it is never OK to use an expired car seat because there is no way of knowing whether the car seat still performs in accordance with the safety standards as issued by the car seat manufacturer. Using an expired car seat puts your child at risk in case of a car accident.
HOWEVER, we must not forget that purchasing a new car seat isnt something that just any family can afford. The sad truth is that for many families it is hard enough to make the ends meet and they often have to rely on second hand and more affordable or even free car seats.
That said, in this case it is better to use an expired car seat than no car seat since less protection is still better than no protection at all. Of course this doesnt mean that its OK to go for the expired car seat and purchase a more expensive smartphone with the savings you made.
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Do Car Seats Have An Expiry Date
There are two answers – the short one and the long one.
The short answer is no. Car seats do not have a set expiration date like food or drinks, and there are no legal requirements that determine their maximum usage.
However – and here’s the long answer – there are a few differing views on how long car seats can actually be used for. So here we’ll tell you what you need to know about car seats and how long they safely last.
Expiration Date If You Have A Nuna Car Seat:
- Infant Car Seat : The expiration date will be visible in three places: Firstly, at the back of the seat shell. Secondly, on the base itself. And thirdly, in your user manual. The Pipa Series can be used for up to 7 years after the date of manufacture.
- Convertible Car Seat : The Rava car seat expires 10 years after the date of manufacture. Also, the label is found on the bottom of your car seat.
- Harness to Booster Car Seat : The Aace expires within 10 years of the date of manufacture. Its label can also be found on the bottom of your seat.
- All-in-One Car Seat : The label will be found on the bottom of your seat. The Exec will expire 10 years after the date of manufacture. In many cases, however, this is the only seat you will ever need!
Here are some examples of what the expiration date label may look like for NUNA car seats:
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Warning Signs That Your Car Seat Is No Longer Safe To Continue Using
Its important to remember that, while its a good idea to follow the expiration date, not all car seats might last that long. A car seat that suffers through extreme weather conditions all the time or has already been in a collision might not hold up until the expiration date.
If you see signs of deterioration in your car seat, it might be time to replace itregardless of what the expiration date says. Here are a few warning signs to watch out for:
- The car seat begins to rust
- The seatbelt, straps or harness are beginning to wear down and become elastic
- You start to notice cracks along the seat base
- Different parts of the car seat begin to break
In a rare case, the company might even recall the car seat or parts of it before its expiration. Its crucial that you send back any recalled car seat or parts so that they can be replaced for safer ones.
While you can hopefully expect that your car seat will last as long as its supposed to, ignoring the warning signs could place your child at risk.
How To Choose The Best Infant Car Seat
A lot of parents are concerned about the safety of their children. This is why they are looking for a car seat that can protect them from accidents, especially in the first few years of life. The seating system matters a lot. The seat should be able to support most of the weight and absorb any impact. A highly rated safety seat should be easy to install and take away from a regular seat.
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The Life Span Of A Car Seat Will Depend On Which Group It Falls Under
There are currently six Groups in which all car seats fall into:
- Group 0+ – birth to 15 months
- Group 0+/1 – birth up to 18kg
- Group 1 – 9kg to 18kg
- Group 1/2/3 – 9kg to 36kg or 135cm
- Group 2/3 18kg to 36kg or 135cm
- Group 0+/1/2/3 birth to 36kg or 135cm
While there are some seats that last longer than others, it does not mean that a Group 0+ car seat is safer than a Group 0+/1 because it has a shorter life span. Instead, manufacturers have a recommended service life for each car seat model.
As long as you are using a car seat that meets the legal safety requirements it can be used continuously as a safe car seat up until your child reaches the maximum weight limit in its Group, when you’ll safely move them onto the next stage.
Youre In Need Of Replacement Parts That Arent Manufactured Anymore
Models and designs are prone to wear and tear and are changing on a regular basis and, because of that, producers dont always keep spare parts of older models. Therefore, in case youll need to replace a component of the car seat, like a locking clip, vehicle seat belt, seat cushions, airbag, or other replacement parts, you might not be able to find it, especially past the car seat expiration date.
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Reasons Why You Should Replace A Car Seat
Car seats should not be replaced except for accidents or age. These are the top reasons to replace your car seat.
Material deterioration. Heat and cold, sun, humidity, and age can all make plastics brittle and eventually unsafe.
Rust. This can form in unreachable areas on metal parts and impact the performance of the seat in a crash.
No longer available models. It is possible to find replacement parts for a discontinued model.
Technological advances. Manufacturers want to ensure that their products comply with current safety standards and best practices.
Are Expired Car Seats Safe
Injuries from car accidents are a leading cause of death among children, and expired car seats may not protect your child in the event of a crash. Because of this, expired car seats are not considered safe and should not be used. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents not to use a car seat past its expiration date, or six years from the date of manufacture if the car seat has no expiration date.
Following all safety guidelines for car seats can reduce severe and fatal injuries in children by as much as 80%.
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Why Do Infant Car Seats Expire
While you might be tempted to buy a cheap second-hand car seat from a friend that seems to be in good condition, there are very valid reasons for car seats to have an expiration date, and it isnt for car seat manufacturers to sell more seats.Car seats expire for two main reasons: materials wearing down and the evolution of technology and safety regulations.
