car seat use by date

Car seats don’t last forever, darling. Most manufacturers slap a use-by date around 6 to 10 years from the date of manufacture, thanks to the gradual breakdown of plastics and safety materials. Using a car seat beyond this date is a gamble with your child's safety—think of it as wearing a helmet that’s been left in the sun for a decade. Always check the label on the seat for its expiry date, and if it’s missing or unreadable, it’s safer to retire the seat. Remember, second-hand seats can be a minefield unless you can verify their history—Tradingpost and CarShowroom might have listings, but proceed with caution.