infant car seats

1206 Views 20 Replies 17 Participants Last post by m9m9m9, Apr 12, 2006

magpie mamma

Discussion Starter · Apr 8, 2006

I am trying to declutter, dd is no longer in the infant car seat and I don't know what to do with them. She will be my last dc. They are not new, I used them with my other dd, but they are registered and there have been no recalls so I believe they are safe to use. I still have all the directions, etc. My local thrift stores will not take baby items and I don't know anyone that needs them. I hate to put them in landfill. Any ideas?

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alegna

· #2 · Apr 8, 2006

How old are they? If they're older than 5 or 6 they should be destroyed for sure.

-Angela

eclipse

· #3 · Apr 8, 2006

yes, if they're older than 5 years or so, they shouldn't be used. Otherwise, try freecycle.

nikirj

· #4 · Apr 8, 2006

Yup, freecycle is good for this one, unless you've got friends or relatives who need one. A lot of people will appreciate an extra for grandma's or their other car, or wherever, but haven't been able to justify the cost, so it really never hurts to ask.

We just tend to hold on to them until someone pops up who needs them. Have 2 in the shed right now but they're getting older, they'll probably be thrown away just because of their age.

Alkenny

· #5 · Apr 8, 2006

Like PP's have said, over 5 years old and they should be destroyed. If they are newer, you could ask around women's shelters, churches etc. to see if anyone needs one.

Dwmama

· #6 · Apr 9, 2006

We were moving and didn't have room for it so I tried Freecycle. Someone was going to take it but never showed up so because I had no time left I donated it to pregnancy couseling center.

Adamsmama

· #7 · Apr 9, 2006

I'm just curious--why is there an age limit on these? I've heard if you are in an accident you should buy a new one but I didn't know general use is bad for them, too. I can't remember what we did with ours -- we used it for both kids and we didn't have room for it anymore...

HelloKitty

· #8 · Apr 9, 2006

It's because of the plastic used in the seats. Exposure to sunlight in the car all the time causes it to degrade faster then general plastic degradation.

CrunchyKat

· #9 · Apr 9, 2006

Yup, I was going to say Freecycle, Swapace, or donating it to a woman's shelter or church. Or sell it at a garage sale.

abranger

· #10 · Apr 9, 2006

if you throw them away and you should if they have expired (usually 5 years) please make sure to cut the straps so that they are unusable.

lilyka

· #11 · Apr 9, 2006

If you want to just give it away, try setting it out on the curb with a free sign on it. We usuallty get rid of stuffin under an hour that way

.

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CrunchyKat

· #12 · Apr 9, 2006

Quote:

If you want to just give it away, try setting it out on the curb with a free sign on it. We usuallty get rid of stuffin under an hour that way

Good idea!!

magpie mamma

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 10, 2006

Great ideas, thank you everyone, looks like one goes away and the other I'll use your ideas.

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OnTheFence

· #14 · Apr 10, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by magpie mamma
I am trying to declutter, dd is no longer in the infant car seat and I don't know what to do with them. She will be my last dc. They are not new, I used them with my other dd, but they are registered and there have been no recalls so I believe they are safe to use. I still have all the directions, etc. My local thrift stores will not take baby items and I don't know anyone that needs them. I hate to put them in landfill. Any ideas?

Donate them to your local DHR/CPS or a local adoption agency. I have done this with my other baby car seats. This current one I am going to hold on to for awhile though, just in case.

Kim, Cesarean Goddess and Common Sense Mother of Four
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him. - John Morley

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Zach'smom

· #15 · Apr 10, 2006

2

Do all car seats expire in 5 years???

Even the expensive ones like Britax? How about booster seats? I never knew car seats could expire unless you were in an accident. I know lots of people who have used the seats a lot longer then 5 years. Please tell me more!

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abranger

· #16 · Apr 10, 2006

They all have expiration dates. Plastic degrade over time espcially when it bakes in the sun in a car.

Amy

sapphire_chan

· #17 · Apr 10, 2006

Too bad they don't make non-plastic car seats. You'd think they could do something with metal and just make very, very good covers to protect babies' skin.

lilyka

· #18 · Apr 10, 2006

the straps also dry out and degrade. 9 years is a very old carseat.

UlrikeDG

· #19 · Apr 11, 2006

Why do seats expire:

Standards change. For example, seats made before the advent of airbags don't have warnings not to install them in front of an active airbag, and 10 years ago, 20-22 lb was the norm for rear facing weight limits; now, it's 30-35 lb!
Parts wear out, break or get lost. Straps fray. Clips break. Moving parts become stiff. Instructions disappear. A broken or misused seat isn't going to provide optimal protection.
Technology improves. Almost all new seats are lined with energy absorbing foam to help prevent head injuries in a crash. Side impact protection is the newest trend in CPS technology. While relatively rare, side impacts are the deadliest type of crash for properly restrained children!
Recalls occur, and previously used seats usually aren't registered with the manufacturer. If your seat isn't registered, you may not be notified of recalls.

Do you have an older seat? Here's a check list to determine if it's OK to reuse. And remember, seats that have been used in a crash need to be replaced!

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thepeach80

· #20 · Apr 12, 2006

Unless reccomended by your state (some states like TX do a 5yr limit b/c of extreme temps) or the manufacturer says otherwise, the expiration date is 6yrs. I have one w/ a steel frame that is 7yrs, but my others are 6. Britax is very explicit about their 6yr policy.

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