Can I donate my car seat?

[Anonymous]

Getting ready to be done with my infant car seat - it's a 4 year old Chicco Keyfit 30 that lasted thru 2 kids in great condition. Can I donate it, or is it not considered "safe" after a certain# of yrs?

[Anonymous]

I think it's 6 years... there should be an expiration date on the bottom of the seat.

[Anonymous]

the best idea is to give it to friends or family. Very few places take carseat donations.

[Anonymous]

My family has been the happy recipient of about 4 used carseats. Mostly from freecycle. We're so happy to have them! Please consider donating to another family through craigslist or freecycle. You can let them know that they may wish to check the expiration date - and anything else you think is important about the seat, like you can let them know it hasn't been in a major accident, if that's true.

[Anonymous]

You're better off giving it directly to another family (through a listserve if you don't know anyone who needs it). My understanding is that places like Goodwill, thrift shops, etc. can't accept them because they don't know if it's a kind that has been recalled at some point.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if a car seat safety technician course/instructor would take it to teach others how to use it?

[Anonymous]

There's always the free stuff section of Craigslist. The NICU where my daughter stayed always seemed to have a few in the back room for families who could afford to buy one (and the one's I saw them give away were old and probably expired), so if you are feeling energetic you could call around and see if a NICU wants it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if a car seat safety technician course/instructor would take it to teach others how to use it?

+1 - this is what I did with our infant seat (7-8 years ago). The hospital was happy to take it for that purpose!

[Anonymous]

I gave mine to some poor single mom who just had a baby in SE. It was 5 years old, so technically expired, but it works!

[Anonymous]

I believe A Wider Circle will take an infant car seat. It is listed here: http://awidercircle.org/well_mother.html But you may want to call to confirm.

[Anonymous]

I got rid of a used, but unexpired car seat on freecycle.

[Anonymous]

Maryland Kids in Safety Seats will take used UNEXPIRED seats. I've given 2 to them. They use them for demo's or give them to families who cannot afford a seat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's always the free stuff section of Craigslist. The NICU where my daughter stayed always seemed to have a few in the back room for families who could afford to buy one (and the one's I saw them give away were old and probably expired), so if you are feeling energetic you could call around and see if a NICU wants it.

What hospital was this?? This sounds very unlikely--they could be held liable if a baby goes home in an expired car seat the hospital gave them. I know of an area hospital that will not let a baby go home in expired car seats unless the parents sign a waiver.

[Anonymous]

PP again--I never understood why people are so cheap about the carseat. Accidental death by car is one of the leading killers of children from birth to age 18.

Spend more on the carseat than the dern stroller.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP again--I never understood why people are so cheap about the carseat. Accidental death by car is one of the leading killers of children from birth to age 18.

Spend more on the carseat than the dern stroller.

I'm pretty sure someone that will take a free carseat doesn't have the luxury to pay more. There are disadvantaged people that can't afford the ridiculous price of baby items.

I had a friend that lived in Florida that donated hers to a Women's shelter. Not sure if any accept them out here, but may be worth a try.