Ensuring your child's safety while traveling in a vehicle is important and using an appropriate car seat is a big part of it. However, many parents may not realize that car seats have expiration dates. Before you consider buying a car seat, let’s dive into understanding how long car seats remain safe to use!
Car Seat Expiration Dates and How to Check for Them
Upon buying a car seat, make sure to track its expiration date immediately. Most Diono all-in-one convertible car seats have a lifespan of 10 years, starting from the purchase date, while Diono infant and booster car seats, such as the LiteClik®30 Infant Car Seats, have a lifespan of 8 years from the date of purchase. One thing you can do to remember when you purchased the car seat is to write down the purchase date on the warranty card or the manual provided with the seat. This way, you have a record of when your car seat will expire.
If you are not able to determine the date of purchase, don’t worry! Look for the model number and the date of manufacture, usually found on a sticker on the back of the seat.
This sticker might be located elsewhere depending on your car seat model. Use the date of manufacture as your expiration date.
If you see the date of manufacture is older than your date of purchase, you should still use your date of purchase to check for the expiration date, since the lifespan of the car seat comes from the general wear and tear put on the car seat. Not all manufacturers use the date of purchase to determine expiration, so make sure and check with them if you have any questions.
Why Do Car Seats Expire?
There are two main reasons why car seats expire:
- Deterioration Over Time: Environmental factors can cause deterioration in materials, especially plastic, even if it isn't visibly apparent. UV rays, temperature changes, and general wear and tear can compromise the integrity of the seat.
- Safety Advancements: Car seat technology is continuously evolving! Newer models may incorporate enhanced safety features that older models will not have. But don’t worry - as safety standards change constantly, as long as a car seat is not expired, it can be used even if a newer regulation is in place. They are still good to use based on the certification at the time of manufacture!
Need help installing your car seat? The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends getting your car seat inspected by a Certified Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). Find a CPST near you on the NHTSA website.
What to Do When Your Car Seat is Expired?
If you discover that your car seat has reached its expiration date, you should get ready to dispose of the car seat. Refrain from handing down or selling an expired car seat or booster seat! Instead, permanently dispose of it to ensure that it is not being used anymore. Make sure and cut off the harness straps and remove the cover. You want to make it as unusable as possible so someone doesn’t try to reuse it.
We recommend saving your car seat for Target’s car seat trade-in event, as they will accept and recycle all types of car seats, including infant car seats, convertible car seats, car seat bases, harness or booster car seats, as well as car seats that are expired or damaged.
Car seats can also be recycled, but you'll need to check to see if car seat recycling is available near you. Currently, only a few states and regions offer car seat recycling. Check this link to see what's available in your area: https://recycleyourcarseat.org/where-do-i-recycle-my-seat/
Now that you know all about car seat expiration, investing in a new multi-stage car seat is not only a smart financial decision but also enhances safety for your child. Be sure to check out our LiteClik®30 Infant Car Seats for the potential for up to 8 years of use, and upgrade to our Radian® all-in-one convertible car seats for up to 10 years of use when your child outgrows their infant car seat!