Can I use a used carseat?

[Anonymous]

We got a carseat as a hand-me-down, doesn't expire until 2015. It's a great brand (one of the older Graco 22's) and has never been in an accident. Is there harm in using a used carseat?

[Anonymous]

The risk of harm from a used carseat is if it's too old or damaged. As long as you are confident you know the seat's history, my opinion is that it's fine. I am more suspicious of people selling their old car seats (vs giving them away): sellers have motive to lie about whether they've ever been in an accident with it.

[Anonymous]

If it's coming from someone you know and trust then it's okay with that expiration. Unfortunately, people lie about if they have been in an accident potentially putting your child in harms way.

The older graco model is better than the the new huge ones because they are so much lighter.

Congrats!

[Anonymous]

We got both of our car seats from freecycle. The people giving these away were kind family folks who are looking to recycle useful things. There was no profit motive to lie about accidents or anything else. I think this mentality that each baby needs to be surrounded in new stuff that will be thrown away after their use in incredibly wasteful and mostly helps to sell new car-seats.

Use your judgment and if it seems intact and solid, and comes from a source you trust (based on whatever factors you determine to be important for trustworthiness), then go for it!

[Anonymous]

No- How do you know it wasn't in an accident? It is your kids safety stop being so cheap when it comes to safety. You probably wouldn't use a used coming home outfit

[Anonymous]

I did. A friend (who I trust) loaned me hers. It had not been in an accident and the expiration date was a few months after we anticipated needing the next (convertible) seat. No issues. I also borrowed a crib and high chair and bouncy chair and bought my rocker and changing table and baby jogger on craigslist. it's nice to be able to save money sometimes. (as long as you're not endangering your child by using an expired seat or one that's been in an accident, go for it.)

[Anonymous]

We used second-hand infant car seats given to us by close friends, twice. We bought the Britax convertibles because we knew we would use those for years and so the money was worth it to get exactly what we wanted. As long as you know and trust your source though, go for it.

[Anonymous]

So if you bought a car seat new, and it has never been in an accident, but the expiration date has passed, does that mean you cannot use it any longer? Are car seats perishable items?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No- How do you know it wasn't in an accident? It is your kids safety stop being so cheap when it comes to safety. You probably wouldn't use a used coming home outfit

Of course I'd use a used coming home outfit! Almost every single thing that we've gotten for our kid has been used. And we've been very happy with those things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So if you bought a car seat new, and it has never been in an accident, but the expiration date has passed, does that mean you cannot use it any longer? Are car seats perishable items?

I think the concern is that the foam starts to break down over time and so it isn't as safe.

[polarboogie]

I would absolutely only consider it if I knew the history of a carseat. A dear friend of mine is giving me the one that was in her husband's car and was rarely used. I would never feel comfortable buying one from CL or taking it from someone I didn't know. An accident affects the integrity of the carseat. Any kind of accident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So if you bought a car seat new, and it has never been in an accident, but the expiration date has passed, does that mean you cannot use it any longer? Are car seats perishable items?

yes, they are. the plastic starts to erode.

[Anonymous]

I'm using a used seat for my infant right now - it's unexpired & was handed down from a friend whom I trust, so I know it has not been in an accident. Used carseats are fine if you know the history.