Car Seat Expiration

[macassi]

So exactly how important are car seat expiration dates? I had replaced the straps on my roundabout and considered it "good enough" then this week I had a guilty conscience and ordered a new seat (but it was oversold so the order didn't actually go through). Then, I decided to do a google search and really not a lot came up about the subject. One article said that the expiration dates were mainly due to changes in technology, etc. Well, I have a roundabout which appears to be the same roundabout sold on the market today, so I'm not sure I buy the technology changes.

So, I guess I'm asking for strong opinions one way or another. I know it's a tough sell for my husband who says "it's a hunk of plastic and metal, how exactly does it wear out?"

[DebbieJ]

Go to http://www.carseatsite.com/ and click on the FAQs. There's info and some links there. It's about the 5th question down or so.

Sorry, it won't let me link directly.

~ deb
DS 12/03
And a niece or nephew arriving in early August!

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[Joolsplus2]

Your Roundabout manual actually says 6 years, due to standards changing, parts wearing out, parts getting lost, plastic degredation...It's on the FAQ's at www.britaxusa.com, too, I think.


Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Joolsplus2]

Oh, and I'd get a Marathon...it'll fit a LOT longer, which is important if you aren't planning on handing it down to another baby!

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[macassi]

Thanks for the input! It seems a waste to throw out 3 roundabouts (can't believe we own that many but we had one for each car, inlcuding the sitter) but I can see how some parts would wear out. One of our locking clips already broke off. Fortunately it was the side I didn't need for the current placement in the car.

And, I had looked at the marathon, because Abbie is extremely light, but of average height, so I envision it being a long time before she moves to a booster seat. I also like the flower pattern!

[Joolsplus2]

We love the Ashley Floral!

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/FFAlbum/Sarah.aspx

(my dd is closer to 40 pounds and age six, now :) )
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[kijip]

Just an FYI (since it sounds like you already have great advice, info and a new seat!). Plastics actually wear out and in ways that are not immediately visible. Do you have old plastic cups around? When compared to brand spanking new cups, most people can see the differences- little frays, tiny cracks etc. It stands to reason that the heat in cars affects the durability of plastics. Cyclists (myself included) replace their helmets regularly for safety, I figure the same applies to the only thing keeping Toby safer in a car moving 70 miles per hour.

I completely understand the impulse to dismiss the warnings! I bought a used infant seat, pushing aside the warnings and then, before Toby was born it hit me that I would never in a million years buy/use an old or used bike helmet especially if I did not know the history. Sure, I would wear a friend's helmet in a pinch but I wouldn't consider buying a used helmet from a consignment store. So, I realized my error and bought a new SnugRide.