Car seat Question

magsp

My 8.5 month twins are getting too long for their current car seats, even though weight-wise they are still fine.  My sister gave me two of her car seats that my niece used (she's now 4).  They are in good condition.  I have read you are not suppose to use hand-me-down car seats for safety reasons...anyone follow this... or have used car seats? Safety is the first priority, but I would love to save some money if I can

Rynleigh

If it's your sister, I assume you can trust her about the history of the seats. The big reasons they tell you not to use hand-me-downs are 1) You can't always trust the previous owner to be forthright and honest about any accidents the seat may have been through and 2) Seats expire. 3) Instructions and warnings can be lost (luckily, practically all of these instructions/warnings can be downloaded now).

All car seats made in the last decade or so have the expiration date imprinted on the plastic, usually on the back/bottom of the seat. If it's never been in an accident and it's not expired, it is OK to use a hand-me-down (assuming all parts appear to be in good working order... don't use a seat where the buckles stick or don't secure, take off the cover and make sure there is no wear to the straps hiding underneath, etc).

bearfootz

I agree.  If the carseats haven't reached the expiration date and you know that they've never been in an accident they are safe to use.  (same as how we'd use our first child's seat for our second born, if we weren't supermom's that have two at a time)

Rynleigh

Depends heavily on the brand. Default expiry if it is not imprinted is supposed to be assumed to be 6 years from the date of manufacture. Many of the higher end brands go all the way to 10 years. Our most recent disposal was a Cosco with an 8yr life (bought in 2003, just expired 2011). 

MuseumMaven

MrsLee04:

Car seats only last 5-6 years. So if your niece is 4 the seat will expire soon and you'll have to get news seats eventually anyway.

This depends on the brand - our seats have a 10 year life span.  The best thing to do it just check the seat.