Do Car Seats Expire

We have heard about expiry dates for food products, spices, substances based on chemicals like shampoos and other cosmetic products. Expiry refers to the fact that a particular thing might prove harmful for you after a particular date because then it starts degenerating. We all are well aware of this and most of us always check this date before buying anything which may have an expiry. But have you heard of car seat expiry? Trust me it is funny, but it is true. Car seats, yes your convertible or sedan seats can be rendered unusable after a particular period of time. Car seats is also a term used for babies or toddler safety seats. Read on to find out more.

Reasons for Car Seats Having Expiry Dates
To start off, the date of expiry is given on the label containing the model number. Now the reasons for car seats having expiry dates. The foremost reason is that there are rapid technological advancements in automobile industry. Lower Anchor and & Tethers for Children (LATCH) was not there earlier, which now is a very common system to install car seats. Another reason is that materials wear out, especially plastic stresses and warps. There are chances that straps may rip and fabric may fray. In addition to that essential instructional labels fade or even tear or fall completely. Last, but not the least the manufacturer who made your car may no longer have stock of the desired car components or the company has shut down. Further, the seat is exposed to weather changes as well, which brings about its degradation. So in short, knowing how and where to check car seat expiry is very important. If you cannot find the date on the label, contact the car manufacturer. All this is regulated by National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). The reasons itself give us the first part of answer to expiry of car seats and how long before car seats expire.

When Do Car Seats Expire?
On an average, the answer is around 5 to 10 years, from the date of manufacture. Just like you might have to use milk within 2 days of the manufacturing date or the purification date, the norm is that it is better not to use a car seat after 6 years of its manufacturing date. The wear and tear may not be visible, the seat might appear perfectly fine, but it does happen and it could be harmful for the babies and overall car safety. Thus, make sure you change or get rid of the car seats in around 6 years or so of using them. The infant car seat laws state, " The law requires that infant car seats have expiration dates posted on them. The dates vary, but are usually six years from the date they were made. The original manufacture date is usually stamped on a tag or sticker on the side of the car seat." But now, the question is what do you do once you have got to know the expiry of your car seat? Here is the answer!

Getting Rid of Expired Car Seats
The first thing you can do even after you do not want that car seat, destroy it. This is to make sure that no one else uses it. Breaking the heavy plastic on the car's seat structure or even sawing the seat in half is a good option. Another thing you can do is to disguise the expired and discarded seat. Just double bag the seat in green trash bags and dump some additional trash into it. Finally the last option is that you can drop off the expired car seats at drop off sites meant for such expired car seats. Some communities have such facility. Making use of that will ensure safety for your babies.

Ultimately, what matters is the safety of your children. If you find there is no expiry date on the stipulated place on the seat, do not wait, just nag the manufacturer to tell it to you. I am sure now next time you think of car seats, you would definitely remember this issue, right?