Used Car Safety Seat Advice
Most of safety advocates don’t recommend buying a used car safety seats for children because, as there will not be any guarantee of safety when buying a used car safety seats at any garage sale, thrift store or flea market. These seats might HAVE, missing parts, might have recalled or might have expired from the manufacturers date mentioned on the seats. There will not be any proof, if the car might have met with an accident damaging the car safety seat and if also any damage is happened to the seat it will not be visible just looking at the seat.
Take note of these steps before you decide to purchase these used car safety seats:
Do some verification with the previous owner of the car like, whether the car had involved in any crash. If you find that the car is involved in the crash than reject the seat as it might not work properly and may also fail in providing security during another crash.
Do confirm from the owner itself that seats have its parts like tether straps, hardware, harness, instruction booklet of the manufacturer and restraining clips. These car seats cannot be used unless it is assembled as shown in the instruction booklet as many parts of the seat are available with the manufacturer. The instruction material will provide the detailed instructions on how to install the seats and if you don’t have the booklet, get it from the manufacturer.
Seat condition has to be checked and look out for any evidences of chips, stress line in the shell, cracks, broken rivets or rust in the frame; twisting or broken stitches in the tether straps or in the harness, frayed edges, cracks; broken buckles or tears in padding and if you find any damage then don’t use that car seat.
Check the date of expiry mentioned by the manufacturer, this can be found on the car seat. A car seat which is older doesn’t satisfy the federal safety or else have new features so that it improves installation and use. Until and unless a manufacturer’s permit, don’t try to use the seats which are more than 6 years old. All the seat manufacturers don’t warranty the seats after their expiration date.
Find out whether the car seat has been recalled by the manufacturer with the manufacturer or else check it with the recalled list at the NHTSA (national highway traffic safety administration). To check the details you will require the list of seat manufacturer, serial number or model number and also the date of manufacture. So these used car seats should not be used until and unless the recall matter is addressed.
Also check the height and weight limits of the seat that you have chosen because it ensures that it is suitable for your child.
If you are not sure of the car safety seat, then don’t consider buying it as it’s your child’s life will be at risk or if you want to buy follow up the above mentioned points.