I just bought my daughter a booster seat for the car. I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas for what to do with the old 5-point harness seat we no longer need. I know car seats have an "experation" date and this one is around 6 years old. It has never been in an accident and is in perfect working condition. I just can't stand the thought of throwing a perfectly good car seat out with the trash. What a waste. Any thoughts?
OMG, thank you for this post! I had no idea that car seats "expire"! I think all the ideas you have gotten are great - I have nothing to add, just wanted to thank you (and everyone who responded) for the info - I had no clue that car seats expire but it does make sense given the extreme temps they are subject to - especially since we've lived in really cold and really hot climates!
Check the expiration date. It should be stamped onto the plastic, or on a sticker on the side. If there is no sticker and you don't know the date, don't risk it. The plastic is high grade, but its still only plastic and it does break down and get weak. Its not worth giving it away or putting it on freecycle, because you are putting someone elses child in danger.
THe plastic can be recycled, take it to a center and let them take it apart. If you do choose to toss it, remove the cover, remove the harness, and write' DO NOTUSE' in black marker on the plastic so nobody dumpster dives for it.
car seats expire after 6yrs. THe plastic, while higher grade, is still just plastic and goes through the same photodegeneration that any plastic does. Just like that faded plastic toy in your back yard, plastic in a car seat is subjected to heat and cold and wear, and it DOES break down. Even if you can't see it, why risk it? The expiration dates are there for a reason, because thats when the plastic failed in testing.
I've gotten a couple off Freecycle. If we're near you, that's newer than the one we're currently using. I wouldn't mind picking it up. Car seats seem to go fast on both Freecycle and SantaSwap. (I got one on each because we have a couple of kids with health issues, and it wasn't working having only one car seat for each. Seemed the car seat was always at the ER.) I've seen some other similar posts. Since we don't use it on a regular basis, I just couldn't see putting so much money into it. I had friends who recently just visited the States and didn't want to put big money into one either, so they just bought a used one. The advantage to selling in on Craig's List, etc., is that the person knows the history.
Somewhere on the seat will be an expiration date stamped on it. Yours is probably right at the expiration date. We bought my son's seat in 2004 and it expires 12/10. If it's past the expiration date it's really not a good seat. Plastic begins to breakdown and it would no longer provide the necessary protection in an accident situation. You could always salvage the cover and list it on freecycle.org to see if anyone in your area needs the cover.
Inside the directions on my sons carseat it said what can go in the recycle bin, and what is trash so you can try looking at that, or donate it.
I believe Babies R Us will give you credit if you recycle it with them. You can call them, they have some recycle program.
If you can't find he experation date on the seat, check the manufacturers web site. If it still has some life left in it, give it away - make sure they know when it expires.
You can give it out through freecycle.org or contact your local church, or some other organization.
Just make sure who ever you give it to, knows when it is time for a new one.
My suggestion is to give it to someone who might need it. baby stuff is very expensive and there are a lot of people less fortunate. If you don't know anyone try looking for a used baby store or a good will or salvation army. or put it on craigs list it's free.
Carseats only last about 6 years, so yours is probably about to expire. From the cycling of hot to cold in the car, it breaks the plastic down over time and makes it unreliable. So check the expiration date, and if expired don't chance it and recycle it if you can. They say to break it into pieces when doing this too, so that no one can use it and chance it not working properly.
If the expiration date still good ak around maybe one of your friends need a car seat or go to a second hand store or donate .
I'd recommend taking it to a second-hand store or Goodwill (any charity really). They'll have lists of those that have been recalled and will check the expiration to make sure it complies with federal regulations.
That way, you're not throwing it out, are trying to get it into the hands of family that really needs it, and if they do need to throw it away, you have the peace of mind that it will not be responsible for any harm to another child.
