With the presence of warm weather, garage sale signs are popping up on every corner. Although garage sales and online classified sites can be a good place to find great deals, purchasing a used car seat could mean compromising safety. Car seats must never be used once they’ve been in an accident and, by purchasing used, you can’t be sure of the seat’s crash history. You can’t always tell that the seat has been damaged or abused - it could have stress or structural weakness that isn't visible from just looking at the seat.

What about hand-me-down seats from a child’s sibling or from a relative? Even if you’re sure the car seat hasn’t been in an auto accident or misused, you need to check the car seat’s expiration date. Each manufacturer sets an expiration date for its car seats that should be visible on one of the labels on the seat. Most car seats should be replaced every six years, with the exception of car seats made with extended use periods such as the Evenflo Symphony. You also need to be able to find the car seat’s model number so you can verify with the manufacturer that the model number is not under a recall.

How to locate model number and expiration date on  a car seat:

Keep in mind, a used car seat could be missing some of the original parts needed for safety. Do not use a car seat that shows any form of cracks or damage, nor those with missing labels, model numbers, manufacture dates or parts. Make sure you locate or request from the manufacturer the instruction manual for the seat, as installation and use information is specific to each model of car seat. You should also check with the manufacturer to make sure the car seat has all the correct parts. If you cannot verify all of these safety points, the car seat is considered unsafe for use, even if it appears to be in good condition.

Evenflo does NOT recommend purchasing used car seats. It is almost always safer to choose a new car seat for your child. Please don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer if you have any questions or concerns about a new or used car seat. Our ParentLink team is available to help you with any questions and can be reached at 800-233-5921 (U.S.) or 800-265-0749 (Canada).

Car seat safety is an important focus for parents – and expectant parents. Car seats save children’s lives, and that education is crucial for parents and caregivers to make informed decisions about car seat safety.

At Evenflo, our car seat engineers work every day to bring parents the latest in functionality and style, with safety being a foremost concern. All of our car seats are designed and tested for structural integrity at energy levels approximately two times the federal standard.

Besides car seat safety, another important factor parents should consider is car seat installation. Proper installation of a car seat is critical for car seat effectiveness, but it can be challenging, especially for new parents.

Fortunately, certified car seat technicians are  in your community to check for proper installation and fit for your child, or even install your child's car seat in your vehicle for you. The best news is that it’s FREE!

In March, Evenflo hosted a continuing education class for our staff car seat technicians, as well as local police, fire and obstetric professionals. Continuing education for car seat technicians is critical, as car seat guidelines continue to evolve and state laws change.  

Here are some highlights of proper car seat use:

§  Select a car seat based on your child's age, height, and weight and make sure you read the corresponding limits for the car seat you are purchasing.

§  Follow your car seat manufacturer's instructions and your vehicle’s owner's manual on how to install the seat, after reading all the instructions completely.

§  Once installed, make sure the seat doesn’t move back and forth or side to side more than one inch, in any direction.

§  If using a harness, make sure it is snug on your child and not twisted, and the chest clip is placed at arm pit level.

§  If using a belt-positioning booster, the shoulder belt should fit snugly across you child's chest, crossing the shoulder between the neck and arm. The lap belt should fit snug and low over the hips and thighs.

§  Keep your child in a car seat or booster until they can sit properly in a seat belt.  For most kids this is around 8 years old or 4’ 9” tall.  Check your local state for child restraint law requirements.

Remember – if you’re not sure your seat is installed correctly, find a certified car seat technician in your community for a safety check.

Other helpful information:

Car seat guidelines

Finding a certified car seat installation technician

Download the Pregnant Woman’s Guide to Buckling Up

Did you know that many car seats are installed incorrectly?

That's why we developed "Safety. So Simple!" as a solution to help parents facilitate proper car seat safety, car seat installation and use. Safety. So Simple!™ reflects Evenflo's commitment to world-class safety, innovation and consumer education.

We offer parents new car seats and educational resources like car seat installation videos, installation checklists and our online community of Child Passenger Safety Technicians that make car seat safety easier. Learn more at Evenflo.com/SafetyMadeEasier.

-Evenflo