| With the advent of eBay and other auction sites, the | | | | 1. Buy from a friend or family member - and even |
| buying and selling of used items has completely lost | | | | then, only if you know the history of the seat. |
| any kind of social stigma - no-one need be ashamed | | | | 2. Ask for written verification that the car seat has |
| of buying something that has been used by someone | | | | never been involved in an accident. If this isn't |
| else. In fact it can be real fun trying to find used | | | | possible, walk away. |
| bargains online or in garage sales. | | | | 3. Make sure the instructions are still available - you |
| But when it comes to buying used cars seats, there | | | | need to know how to fix it correctly and you also |
| can only be one piece of advice - DON'T! | | | | need to be sure it is the right seat for your type of |
| With car seats, safety is the big issue - in fact the | | | | car. |
| ONLY issue. Remember that this piece of equipment | | | | 4. Examine it for visible signs of damage. Even a seat |
| is not just a handy receptacle for transporting your | | | | that has not been in an accident may no longer be |
| precious bundle - it's the one thing that could save | | | | safe. Heat, cold, humidity and sunlight can cause |
| your baby's life in an emergency. | | | | major damage over time, including plastic corrosion, |
| The problem with buying a used car seat is that you | | | | wear or stiffness in the straps. Adjustments can also |
| don't really know its history. It's possible that it may | | | | cause uneven wear in the straps and harnesses, or |
| have been in an accident and so may have been | | | | damage to the padding and covers. |
| damaged. This damage may be invisible to the eye; | | | | 5. Write down the car seat manufacturer, model |
| tiny fissures or stress points may have occurred, | | | | number and serial number. Then call the National |
| which could cause the car seat to fail in another | | | | Highway Traffic & Safety Association (NHTSA) on |
| accident, putting your baby at serious risk! | | | | (888) DASH-2-DOT to check that this model has not |
| But of course, its easy to say, "Don't do it." Many of | | | | been recalled. |
| us are not lucky enough to be able to afford a new | | | | 6. Double check that the seat is suitable for your |
| car seat, and many of us will just be attracted by | | | | child's weight and height. |
| the whole idea of getting a car seat at a bargain | | | | 7. Test out the seat in your car. If you can't get it to |
| price. And in this wasteful world that we live in, isn't it | | | | fit properly, don't buy it! |
| morally right that we try to recycle products that are | | | | Ask yourself, if your child's safety is worth more |
| still perfectly serviceable, even if the original owners | | | | than the few dollars you will save by buying a used |
| don't need them anymore? | | | | car seat. There is really only one answer, but if you |
| With this in mind, if you are going to buy a used car | | | | must insist on taking this option, use the tips above |
| seat, here are a few tips to ensure that you do it | | | | and you should at least be able to do so, safely. |
| safely: | | | | |