Many parents often ask us if is ok to buy a used car seat from someone online, or on the second hand market?
Hey, who doesn’t want to save some $$$ which can be spent on something else?
A used car seat may save money, however it could also compromise safety, and is up to us as a parent to define which level of compromise we are willing to accept when it comes to the safety of our children.
It's very important that children sit safely and securely in vehicles, therefore it's important that you carefully consider your options when buying a car seat. At Safety On Board Middle East, we feel there are so many uncertainties when it comes to buying a used car seat. We have listed below top 3 reasons why you should avoid buying a used car seat.
1. Car seat history
Car seats involved in a crash should be discarded immediately, even if it does not appear damaged. No one can visually inspect a car seat for you or certify that it's safe to use if the history is unknown or it has been in a crash. So you can't rely on appearance to know if a used car seat is safe.
You seldom know the seller when buying a second-hand car seat. This makes it impossible to guarantee the condition or history of the used car seat, which reduces the safety level drastically. Once again, if a car seat has been involved in an accident, it should be discarded immediately, no matter how good its condition may appear.
2. Age and expiration
All car seats and boosters have expiration dates. Sometimes they are found on the same sticker that has the date of manufacture, and sometimes you need to read the instruction manual to see how many years after the date of manufacture the seat expires.
The typical lifespan of a car seat or booster seat is 6 to 10 years. But you need to check the expiration date for each particular seat. If you buy a used car seat, you do not know precisely when it was first sold or for how long it was used. If you're not sure about the expiration date, check the instruction manual or call the manufacturer. By law, the date of manufacture and the manufacturer's contact information must be on one of the seat labels. If these labels are missing from the car seat, it's best not to use it, as the labels also give important model information that would alert you to potential recalls (always check whether a seat is under recall).
3. Testing and safety evolves
Development continuously progresses and stricter requirements are placed on new child car seats. The standard against which a car seat is tested and approved in 2008 is vastly different to 2018. Today’s car seats are produced according to very strict requirements and are of exceptionally high quality. A car seat produced today has, unlike a second-hand seat, been subjected to testing similar to that which a newly produced car undergoes. If you buy a brand-new car seat from a specialized car seat retailer, you can rest assured knowing that it satisfies the stringent requirements in place today.
Contact us for more information and advice.
To wrap it up: Do not trust a second hand or used car seat unless you are fully aware of its history.
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