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Re: OK, but ... (Reply to this comment)
by mmcphee
Belt positioning boosters for heavier/taller children should realistically have a much longer lifetime since typically they are not anchored structurally to the vehicle. 5-point harness seats for infants and small children are anchored structurally via seat belt, tether, and/or "latch" system so they are critically dependent on the integrity of the safety seat construction and materials. Not so much with a positioning booster, yet blanket statements are made about "6 year" expiration.
Maybe. However, since you can purchase a booster for $20 - $40 is it really worth finding that the plastic is OK for seven years or eight?
Also note that European standards are much stricter than US standards.
*sigh*
European standards are different, not necessaraily stricter. In the past Britax recalls have started because of problems found in the US despite the so-called stricter European standards.
Is a "safe" new seat only available to the wealthy? How are the poor to afford a top-of-the-line $250 car seat? Are their kids lives less valuable? Is it better to use a used seat than none at all?
I am quite certain that I never said spend $250 on a car seat. Not sure where you even got that idea from. In fact the best car seat is the one that fits your child, fits your car and fits your budget.
Every parent needs to decide what is best for their child and in order to do that people need information. Agree or not at least it made you think about it and that is all I hoped to accomplish.
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May 31 '09
4:16 am PDT
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OK, but ... (Reply to this comment)
by tomz1265
This is a thoughtful commentary, but I'd like to point out a few things (please excuse my rant):
Belt positioning boosters for heavier/taller children should realistically have a much longer lifetime since typically they are not anchored structurally to the vehicle. 5-point harness seats for infants and small children are anchored structurally via seat belt, tether, and/or "latch" system so they are critically dependent on the integrity of the safety seat construction and materials. Not so much with a positioning booster, yet blanket statements are made about "6 year" expiration. A bit of throwing the baby out with the bath water!
It's clearly in the interest of the manufacturer to put an expiration date on seats as this helps shield them from liability under "limits of repose" laws. It's also a disincentive to developing long-lasting technologies or construction techniques. Who's taking responsibility for all that plastic going into the landfills?
Changing safety requirements is a bit of a red-herring unless the seat actually predates the most recent set of requirements. The seat either conforms to current regulations (which may have been established long ago) or it doesn't. Also note that European standards are much stricter than US standards.
Further, how far do we take this? Do we also pull all cars off the road that predate airbags and anti-lock brakes? How about electronic stability control, collision avoidance systems, or other optional "safety" equipment yet to be federally mandated? Do we require everyone transporting a child to drive a Volvo or an 8-passenger SUV? Oh yeah, those last ones like to roll over, so never mind.
Is a "safe" new seat only available to the wealthy? How are the poor to afford a top-of-the-line $250 car seat? Are their kids lives less valuable? Is it better to use a used seat than none at all?
Finally, it's a disservice to post a provocative video of a single test without context. We are told nothing of the facts and have no idea what the test circumstances were- why wasn't a brand new seat, and then a 4 year old seat, and then a 7 year old seat, and so on, tested side-by-side? And then the test repeated about a hundred times to have a set of data to analyze? Real vehicles have energy absorbing crumple zones, etc. The car seat is only one element in the system. Please leave science to the scientists.
The bottom line of course is that we all want what's best for our children. It just seems a bit naive to slap an expiration date on a car seat and call it good. I would strongly encourage all parents to become as knowledgeable on the subject as possible and to consult with a certified expert to buy the best seat available that fits their vehicle and keep it properly installed. They must also remain vigilant for the rest of the child's use of the seat.
Keep a thoughtful discussion going....
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May 28 '09
9:22 am PDT
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Intera expiration (Reply to this comment)
by mak101376
I just wanted to point out that I had an Intera that was made in May 2006 and it's expiration was December 2013. That is 7 1/2 years, which isn't so bad for a 3 in 1.
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Jul 22 '07
2:23 pm PDT
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Re: Even though I know and believe in expirations, I really found this article great (Reply to this comment)
by mmcphee
I'm glad that you found this article helpful. Thanks for letting me know!
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Jun 15 '06
2:49 am PDT
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Even though I know and believe in expirations, I really found this article great (Reply to this comment)
by kat_k1
I am such a carseat safety geek, but we are constantly having to explain the reasons behind expirations and such... this is a great tool that we can just link to or show people and they can read it and understand.
Thank you for taking the time to write this article.
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Jun 14 '06
11:08 am PDT
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Re: Excellent advice as usual (Reply to this comment)
by mmcphee
Times sure have changed with car seats, not everyone has kept up! Thanks for the comment.
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May 30 '06
11:20 am PDT
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Excellent advice as usual (Reply to this comment)
by jeavinl,  in Kids & Family
I need to print this out and hand it to my mother. Before my daughter was born, she insisted that I use the car seat she has stored in the garage from my younger brother because it was top-of-the-line in 1983. Fortunately, I have common sense and access to Consumer Reports.
Jeanne
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May 28 '06
11:36 pm PDT
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Re: Yeah.... (Reply to this comment)
by mmcphee
Thanks for the reminder to link up to my other essay where I discussed accidents and used seats as part of general car seat safety. I just thought that this was such an often overlooked aspect of car seat use that it deserved its own topic. But I will probably address the used aspect in another essay in the future.
Thanks for the comment!
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May 28 '06
7:27 am PDT
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Yeah.... (Reply to this comment)
by deenaf
I agree with expiration dates on car seats if only for the fact that they endure as much wear and tear as anything else in the car. There is stress on the straps, constant pressure on the plastic parts, etc. You covered it well.... and it's an important message.
Also, can I add a sidebar here? Never buy a used car seat either because it could have been in an accident (with MUCH stress endured on it) and it would be unbeknownst to you.
Car seat safety is SO important. Glad you wrote this review! Excellent!
Deena
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May 28 '06
5:18 am PDT
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Re: That was (Reply to this comment)
by mmcphee
I do wish that car seat manufacturers would be more upfront about the expiration dates of their car seats. So many parents just aren't aware of the potential disaster sitting in their backseats.
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May 27 '06
7:23 pm PDT
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That was (Reply to this comment)
by joyfulgirl91
one horrifying video clip. I think all the blood in my head just dropped to my stomach. So many people have no idea car seats expire, and the manufacturers are very disingenuous about it. This is valuable information for parents.
Jessica
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May 27 '06
7:13 pm PDT
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