What are your views on purchasing or using second hand car seats for babies?
(2011-09-17 14:25:07) 1. Says: My mother and father in law keep nagging at me and my fiance to have their second hand car seat that they were given by someone around 5 years ago, it's been in the attic for a long time and no longer has any manufacturers instructions or guidelines. it looks quite worn and battered but they insist that we shouldn't buy one to save money.However, i think that the safety of my child once born in paramount and i don't want to take any risks just to save a little money. I have no idea of the history of this seat or whether it has been damaged in an accident or bump. They think that we're being snobby for wanting a brand new one but from the research i have done even the police and emergency services recommend never to have a second hand one due to the fact that it could fail in a crash.
What is your opinion on this? How can i explain to them that i just want my child to be safe? They are old fashioned and think that EVERYTHING is better second hand.
No nasty comments plz.
Thanks2. Says: Here is your 'out', Car seats expire after 6 years (with the exception of steel framed seats in Britax and Sunshine Kids, these last 8 years). Let them know you are very thankful for their offer, but you just couldn't think of risking the life their grandchild in an expired seat that might fail in an accident. Let them know newer seats have much better safety features, and you know they want the safest for their sweet grandbaby! Adding some sugar to the rejection might get them to 'see the light' ;) Just wait till baby hits one, and you keep the lil one rear-facing to the new recommendation of age 2! Oh my, I bet they say "Well the law says age 1 and 22 pounds!" Again, that law is so out-of-date and has harmed and killed babies, You are in for an interesting road with the in-laws, but trust me. After they get through baby #1 they do mellow down!
(good seats are the Evenflo Triumph 65 and the First Years True Fit, both come with newborn inserts and fit lil babies quite well)3. Says: Find out what model and make of the car seat is - and look it up on the manufacturer's website. First thing to look for is RECALL NOTICES pertaining to that model. If there are none - you can be certain that the seat still meets all safety standards as pertains to the car and safety administration testing board. Good luck and hope this helps.4. Says: with mine and my wifes 1st kid we bought a new 1 and every1 got us used 1s so we used bleach and scrubed them down and wash them really good and stuck the cover in the washer a few times to get it looking new again now we r stuck with a closet full of carseats but u should get a new 1 and have a few layin around for other vehicles so u don't have to keep getting it in and out5. Says: i can completely understand where you're coming from, if my parents were to do that, i would never. not knowing how safe it could be, spending the few extra bucks is better than the alternative.
if it were me, i'd tell my parents that i appreciate that they're still looking out for me and that they want the best for me, but that they should understand that the safety of my kid is greater than any financial issue and that i would want to spend some extra money for the guaranteed safety Tag: What are your views on purchasing or using second hand car seats for babies?