Yes, car seats typically expire after six years from the date of manufacture. A sticker that provides the serial number includes manufacture and expiration dates.
Car seats should never be used - regardless of condition - 10 years after they were made. And many car seats today actually come with expiration dates that are 5-8 years from the manufacture date.
What to Do with Old Car Seats?Car Seat Recycling and Donation in all 50 US States
- Give the used car seat to friends or family.
- Donate the car seat.
- Recycle the car seat.
- Throw the car seat in the trash.
Donating a car seat isn't as easy as donating furniture. Due to liability among other things, you will often need to check first. For example, many national organizations like Goodwill will not accept them. The car seat is off your hands, and your loved ones don't need to pay for a new one.
Here's what to look for on it:
- “This restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.
- Basic instructions for the seat's use on the seat and in the manual.
- Manufacturer/distributor's name and contact information.
- Date of manufacture.
Car seat. An absolute must, as hospitals won't let you take baby home without one, an infant car seat generally costs between $80 and $400. Don't fret if you can't afford one on the higher end of the range. All car seats sold in the United States have to meet the exact same safety standards.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that most children are ready to switch from booster seat to using a seat belt alone somewhere between the ages of 8 and 12 years old.
7 Tips for Buying a Newborn Car Seat
- Scope out your car before you shop.
- Pick a convertible car seat that'll grow with your child.
- Consider a car seat stroller if you're trying to save.
- Spring for a new seat to be safe.
- Focus on the most important features.
- Choose something easy to clean.
Current California Law:​Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat. Children who are 8 years of age OR have reached 4'9†in height may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be secured by a safety belt.
While 1 year and 20 pounds used to be the standard for when to flip car seats around, most experts now recommend using rear-facing child seats until children are 2 years old and reach the top weight and height recommendations of the car seat manufacturer, which is typically around 30 pounds and 36 inches.
How Much Does a High Chair Cost? Typical costs: MySimon.com[1] indicates that basic high chairs run less than $70; midrange high chairs $70-$150; and high-end high chairs $150 and up.
Currently booster cushions fall under the Group 2/3 car seat category, meaning they can be used from around 4-years-old. The new extension recommends children use backless boosters once they are 125cm or taller, which is roughly about 7-years-old.
5 Ways to Make Sure Your Child Is Safe
- Right seat: Check the seat's height and weight limits (see our timeline above).
- Seat tight: Once installed, the seat shouldn't move more than 1 inch side to side or front to back.
- Harness height: In rear-facing installation, the harness straps are at or below your baby's shoulders.
The AAP now recommends that kids sit rear-facing until at least age 2. NHTSA now recommends: “Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat's manufacturer.â€
Walmart is now offering car seat trade-in events. If you have an expired car seat or even just an old car seat your child has outgrown, hang on to it so you can bring it to Walmart in time for their next car seat trade in!
We do NOT accept items in boxes, plastic or trash bags. Repeat, NO TRASH BAGS. Lay sets on top of each other, do not pin or band together. ✅ Bring your items in along with a photo ID.
In general, car seats expire between 6 and 10 years from the date of manufacture. They expire for a number of reasons, including wear and tear, changing regulations, recalls, and the limits of manufacturer testing.
Look for Signs of DamageWhen examining a used car seat, pay particular attention to the areas around the belt attachment points and where the car seat gets attached to the car. Even hairline cracks in these areas can mean that the car seat's integrity has been compromised.
