My Car Seat Has an Expiration Date?

November 30, 2015 · 3 min read

Why You Should Pay Attention to Your Car Seat Expiration Date

Did you know that up until the height of 4 ft. and 9 in., a child should be sitting in a booster or car seat while you're on the road? It's safe to say that our kids are the most precious cargo in our vehicles, so it's important to be aware of the safety regulations. Keeping your precious cargo safe is important to the team here at Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Racine, so read on to learn more about car seat safety for your kids!

Buying Used or Borrowing Car Seats

Car seats are made specially to provide a safe riding experience for your kids. Whether they are riding in a booster seat or a full car seat, there are aspects to consider. Do you know the history of the car seat? When it comes to buying a used car seat, or borrowing one from a friend, it's important to know who used it, for how long, and whether it is damaged. If you buy a car seat without knowing its history, it can be worn out or broken and therefore unsafe for your child. Read More: Warming Up Your Car Faster and Easier A car seat should never be used after the vehicle was in a car crash. Even if the seat was not in use at the time of the crash, the impact may have damaged the important parts that keep your kids safe. If the car seat has been through a minor crash, one where the vehicle safely drove away, there were no injuries to any vehicle occupants, and the airbags didn't deploy, the seat may still be safe to use. Go with your gut on that one and remember it's better to be safe than sorry! Look over the seat and make sure all the parts and pieces are present and look good. You wouldn't risk your life driving a vehicle that looked like it was going to fall apart, so it's important to have your children in car and booster seats that are in great condition. Read More: When to Let Your Kids Drive Alone

Do Car Seat Expiration Dates Matter?

When you're thinking of buying or borrowing a car seat, be sure to check its expiration date! You wouldn't want to feed your children food that has gone past the expiration date, and it works the same way with their potentially life-saving car seats. Plastic becomes brittle and breaks easily with age, and most car seats are made from plastic. Replacing a car seat is much less costly than the potential safety issues with a child riding in a broken seat. Read More: Teaching Kids About Washing the Car

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