Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Used Car Seat

To be frank, I don't normally recommend buying a used car seat. But, if you have to buy one or you are to receive one from a friend or relative then below are some questions you should ask yourself before using a used car seat for your child. I have to emphasize that you really need to evaluate a used car seat more carefully before using it. As always, your child's safety should be the main concern.

Questions You Should Ask Before Buying a Used Car Seat

1. When is the expiration date of the car seat?
Yes, car seats do expire! You can find the date by looking at the back of the seat where it is usually located. Wear and tear through constant usage can produce cracks on the usually plastic materials of the seat. If the seat has already expired then don't buy.

2. Do you know the history of the car seat?
You got to know the history of the car seat. Has it ever been involved in a crash? with or without a child in the seat? A car seat that's been involved in a crash should never be used again. You have to ask this question to the previous owner. Now, if the seller is somebody you don't know, can you trust him/her to tell the truth? If it is a relative then you can have a little comfort that he/she will tell you the true history of the car seat.

3. Have you checked if there were recalls for the brand/model?
Check first if the particular car seat brand and model was recalled. Sometimes some sellers are either unscrupulous or clueless that the car seat they are selling was recalled. You just have to check the safety agency of your country again to find out this information. You can also look it up on the internet.

4. Does it look worn out and are all parts still intact?
Inspect the seat thoroughly. Check for cracks, chips, cuts, white or gray patches or lines in the shell. If it looks worn out, unclean or you see missing parts then don't buy.

5. Is the brand and model "safe" to use in your country?
Just like in buying a new car seat, you should check with the safety agency in your country if the car seat meets the safety regulation and guidelines they set forth for car seat usage. In Canada, an approved car seat should have a CMVSS (Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) sticker. So, for Canadians, look for this sticker in the car seat. Don't buy if you can't find it.

6. Have you checked the car seat's recommended height and weight for the baby?
Car seats are created for the different stages in the life of a child. All car seats have a guideline as to what the maximum/minimum height and weight are recommended. Make sure that the used car seat can fit your child nicely before you buy it.

The above is just a guideline. A thorough and careful check is needed when you evaluate a used car seat. Visually check the seat for any signs of problem and as always "err on the side of caution". If you find any issues then it's better not to buy it. Saving just a few bucks is not worth it. Safety of the child should be the main priority. You can always cut back on other things.

Go to a Car Seat Safety Clinic Near You

I would suggest to all parents especially first-time parents to attend and look for car seat clinics in your area. As we all know, improper installation of car seats is up there if not the number cause of serious injuries and fatalities in car crashes involving children. Just to be really sure, check out and go to a safety clinic nearby. Spring is coming and usually it's the time of the year that car seat installation clinics are held.

From Safe Kids WorldWide,

"Car seat installation clinics are successful in helping parents and caregivers properly restrain children in back seats, but more effort needs to be made to reach underserved communities. Based on data from car seat checkup events conducted in 29 states in February 2005, Safe Kids found that parents successfully changed their behavior and retained their child passenger safety knowledge six weeks after receiving hands-on instruction. At a second child safety seat checkup, 45 percent more seats were properly installed by the parents than at the first instructional event."

In Canada,

For those in the Toronto area of Canada, check out the numbers below I took from this site .

YORK REGION CHILD SEAT CLINICS
Contact York Region Health Department by phone at 1-800-361-5653 or on the web at www.region.york.on.ca

DURHAM REGION CHILD SEAT CLINICS
Contact Durham Region Health Department by phone at 1-800-841-2729 or on the web at www.region.durham.on.ca. Or contact Durham regional Police at www.drps.ca.

PEEL REGION CAR SEAT CLINICS
Call the Peel Help Line at (905) 799-7700 to find out about appointments.

For those in British Columbia,

• BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation/ICBC Child Passenger Safety Program (604) 298-5107 or 1-877-274-5551

For those in Alberta,
• Capital Health
Edmonton: (780) 408-5465; Calgary: (403) 943-5465; elsewhere: 1-866-408-5465
• Or contact your local community health centre

In the US,

Check out the NHTSA website and Safe Kids USA

Of course, this article might be dated by the time you read it and the sites or phone numbers I mentioned might not be available anymore. To look for the latest information about car seat clinics near you, it's always wise to check with your local newspapers or the police. You can also check out Google and look for local results there.