Carseat was used in 2004, can I still use it?

[connorlevismom]

We have a Graco snugride that was used for our son in 2004. It was only used with that one child and only for a few months since he was a fast growing child. It was never dropped or in any accidents. Can I still use it for my child due in October of this year? I hate to go out and buy a brand new one when this one is in such good shape but I will if it is not safe to use it.

Kristine

 

[floydfamily4]

I would double check on the recall list at the graco site but if there has been no recall--use it. People sell used car seats all the time, including me. As long as its in good shape and no accidents, I wouldn't worry.

take care!

 

[all4fun]

We have a Graco snugride that was used for our son in 2004. It was only used with that one child and only for a few months since he was a fast growing child. It was never dropped or in any accidents. Can I still use it for my child due in October of this year? I hate to go out and buy a brand new one when this one is in such good shape but I will if it is not safe to use it.

Kristine

You can check it against this used car seat checklist. There is a link to a site to check for recalls there. As long as it is less than 6yrs old, hasn't been in any accidents and isn't recalled, it should be ok to use. Also, when you clean it, don't wash the straps by immersing them in water. They should only be spot cleaned. I made this mistake once and then had to buy replacement straps from Dorel ie Cosco (oops!). Fortunately, it wasn't a very expensive mistake.

hth

 

[jen22984]

There should be a date stamped on it somewhere that is the "expiration" date of it.

 

[TheRatPack]

Check the sticker on the carseat and check the website to see the average life of that particular carseat, most car seats expire 5 to 6 years from manufacturers date. They have an 'expiration' date because of the life of the plastic used in making them. The plastic gets old and can crack if in an accident, even if it wasn't used a lot or stored in pristine conditions...etc. I know a lot of people, even some close friends, that think I'm crazy about carseat safety but the expirations are there for a reason and I'm not taking a chance with the most precious things in my life.

 

[NiniMorris]

PP who said there is an expiration date on the car seat is very correct!

My husband is a car seat tech for the state of Georgia....please check those expiration dates on car seats!

(this is a touchy subject for us as our then 3 year old was in a terrible accident and had his life saved by his car seat! While there was significant injury to him, he is still ALIVE because of his car seat!) Please check those dates and have them checked out to make sure they are installed correctly! If there is any doubt (or no expiration date) do not use them!

Nini

 

[connorlevismom]

Perfect - thanks. I will check the exp. date out tonight. Thanks for your help everyone!

Kristine

 

[Fintastic]

DH won't let me replace our car seat even though it's six years old because he thinks it's stupid that car seats have expiration dates. Any advice on how to change his mind? The seat was used for about a year for our DD (born in October 2003) and now our son is due in three months.

 

[mom2faith]

Fintastic - I would check with your auto insurance, but if you were in a car accident and your child was seriously injured, there is a chance that coverage may not occur becuase you were using an expired car seat. I know that is the "threat" here - although I have never heard of it actually happening.

 

[adventure_woman]

DH won't let me replace our car seat even though it's six years old because he thinks it's stupid that car seats have expiration dates. Any advice on how to change his mind? The seat was used for about a year for our DD (born in October 2003) and now our son is due in three months.

I would go to babycenter.com and go to the carseat boards. I learned SO MUCH from them before my DD was born. They can probably give you good arguments, or where to find the info.

As for changing his mind - I would just go buy another one (this is one case where if I felt uncomfortable, I wouldn't care what he said). If the carseat is expired (which is almost is - usually it is a max of 7 yrs), I wouldn't risk it. It is something to do with the plastic breaking down I think. I don't mean to sound harsh, but when it comes to my DH thinking something is stupid and the safety of my baby, my baby would win every time.

 

[NiniMorris]

If you live in a place where the temperature remains constant year round, then there is a slight chance that there is no plastic degradation. Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure, until you have an accident. Then it can be too late.

Seriously, isn't your child's life worth the purchase price of a new car safety seat? Remember these seats are meant for safety, not just a place to 'park' the baby while you are driving.

There are web sites that show very graphic videos of what happens on impact. I personally cannot watch them. Have him do a search, they I'm sure that one view of these will change his mind.

(they are the ones that some judges make parents watch that have been convicvted of not properly restrainng a child....)

Nini

 

[cuppycake]

DH won't let me replace our car seat even though it's six years old because he thinks it's stupid that car seats have expiration dates. Any advice on how to change his mind? The seat was used for about a year for our DD (born in October 2003) and now our son is due in three months.

I'm the kind of person that would absolutely go and buy a new one. I'm with the PP....when it comes between the safety of my baby and my husband acting like a child, my baby's safety will win every time. I mean, really. He thinks it's stupid and won't LET you buy a new one??? YIKES.

If you aren't the type to stand up and just do it....will you be having another baby shower (many people have parties for each child, rather than only the first these days)? Put it on your registry? If any of your family asks if there is anything you need, could you suggest they buy it (or pool together and buy it, if it's too expensive an item for one person)?

Your husband does need to back down on this one. I'm with the poster who suggested checking the carseat boards....they will have some good suggestions.

 

[tanyaandallie]

DH won't let me replace our car seat even though it's six years old because he thinks it's stupid that car seats have expiration dates. Any advice on how to change his mind? The seat was used for about a year for our DD (born in October 2003) and now our son is due in three months.

I have a friend who had the same issue. Her dh just couldn't grasp expiration. The thing is, expiration is not just about plastic degrading. it's also about updated technology, additional testing on seat, etc. Most seats made in 2003 did not have EPS/EPP foam and the large majority of seats made in 2009 do.

My friend finally just put her foot down and got a new seat. It's just not something I woud take no for an answer on. You don't know at what point a seat will fail. It may not fail but you just don't know for sure. Not at all worth the risk.

 

[boltfans]

To the OP, my daughter was born in 2/04 and her infant carseat (which I used for my son, then gave to my neighbor) expires in 12/09. We bought it in 2004, but it was manufactured in 2003 and the expiration date stamped on the bottom is 12/09. It's also a Graco Snugride.

FWIW, we're trying for a 3rd kid and while I hoped I could still use the same seat (till I checked the date), I noticed that the newer ones are much, much nicer. The padding is much thicker, many of them have side impact head protection, plus they almsot all accomodate larger babies than the 2004 seats did. My SIL just got a new one for her 3rd kid and it goes to 30 lbs/30 inches. I know ours was 20 lbs/26 inches. So if you have a fast grower, the newer seats will get more use.

And to Fintastic, I would just go out and buy a new seat. It wouldn't even be an issue. Believe me, my husband is incredibly, hmm, thrifty, and might try to make the same case, but there is no way I would be stopped from buying a new carseat. Just think about if you get in an accident and something happens-you'd never forgive yourself and probably hold a lot of hostile/resentful feelings towards your husband. It's not worth it. I know they're not cheap, but the risk is too much for me to handle. And really, my husband paid such little attention to our carseats that I can almost guarantee that if I bought a new one in a similar design, he'd never notice. Not that you want to be deceitful, just sayin'....

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

1) Check to see if there are any recalls.
2) Check the expiration date.

If there are no recalls and it has not expired and will not expire while your little one is in it, then yes it is safe to use. If it does have recalls or has expired or will expire when your little one is using it then you need to buy a new one.

Oh and you will find the expiration date on a sticker on the seat itself or the manual will tell you how many years from the date of manufactor you can use it. The manufactor date will be on the carseat.

Any questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[stephie1012]

to the poster who said her DH wont buy a new seat show him this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvCRz7BRAM0
this is what could happen when using an expired seat.

 

[all4fun]

DH won't let me replace our car seat even though it's six years old because he thinks it's stupid that car seats have expiration dates. Any advice on how to change his mind? The seat was used for about a year for our DD (born in October 2003) and now our son is due in three months.

This site has a lot of info about why car seats expire.
http://www.childrestraintsafety.com/manufacture-expiration.html
This is JMHO, but I don't think this decision should be totally up to him. You are the parent too. I know for a long time I felt I had to run every purchase by my dh because he handles our finances (even though I also work f/t). The fact is, he didn't, and doesn't, expect me to run every purchase I make by him. Just make sure your finances can cover the cost and buy a new seat. He'll get over it, I'm sure!

 

[boltfans]

This site has a lot of info about why car seats expire.
http://www.childrestraintsafety.com/manufacture-expiration.html
This is JMHO, but I don't think this decision should be totally up to him. You are the parent too. I know for a long time I felt I had to run every purchase by my dh because he handles our finances (even though I also work f/t). The fact is, he didn't, and doesn't, expect me to run every purchase I make by him. Just make sure your finances can cover the cost and buy a new seat. He'll get over it, I'm sure!

That is a very good point. He's not the only parent and should not get the only say.

 

[natnelliesmom]

DH won't let me replace our car seat even though it's six years old because he thinks it's stupid that car seats have expiration dates. Any advice on how to change his mind? The seat was used for about a year for our DD (born in October 2003) and now our son is due in three months.

I have some excellent advice for how to change his mind.... throw the seat out and go buy a new one!
You are responsible for your child's safety- even if your husband isn't doing his part.
There is no way my husband would ever second guess me when it comes to our children.
-Sarah

 

[carj]

I found a date on our high back booster seat but I know that can't be the expiration date because it was purchased new around that time. 3/05

Should I look for something that says expiration date? I had NO idea that carseats or boosters had dates! I knew that they were not supposed to be used after 5-6 years but I thought that I just had to work off my memory!

I am planning to buy my 5 year old a new booster soon anyway. She is sitting in this one that her brother used. I have heard that Texas is going to be raising the age limit to 8 so I think that she deserves a new seat!