Child Car Seats Have an Expiration Date
Baby car seats are tricky. Their gears can be clogged with Cheerio ; find it difficult to fit in the back seat ; they don’t go well with winter coats . And after six to ten years they expire.
The expiry date printed on most child car seats can seem like a gimmick to save you money on distribution. But while these dates are not required by law, they exist for a good reason.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does not or does not require vehicle seat expiration dates, according to their Office of Communications and Consumer Information. They also don’t know the state laws that require you to meet these deadlines.
However, the NHTSA points to voluntary recommendations from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association that suggest seat replacements after six years or after the manufacturer’s expiration date.
There are several reasons for this: According to JPMA, as well as car manufacturer Graco, parts can deteriorate or break, including the plastic housing that can shatter from years of exposure to the sun. Vehicle designs and safety regulations can also change over the years. If you are unsure if your seat is safe, take it to an inspector .
It can be frustrating that the car seat can’t last longer. But keep in mind that this device has to do an extraordinary job of keeping children safe at 60 mph in a metal box designed for adults. When viewed from this point of view, they seem to work at all.