Is it okay to reuse a 2007 graco infant seat?
Posted by James on September 23, 2013 · 11 Comments
Question by Durty’s Wifey: Is it okay to reuse a 2007 graco infant seat?
It was my daughters and it was never in any wrecks and still in great condition. My new baby will be born in Feb 2010, so the car seat will be 3 years old by then. It’s been stored in a hall closet since last year. Is it still safe to use or do I have to puchase a newer one?
Best answer:
Answer by Daniel’s Mum~Due 03/23/10
I don’t know the answer, but am starring this because I need to know as well!
Having said that…I thought I heard somewhere that after 5 years you needed to get a new one.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
It should be fine. Graco car seats have a life span of 6 years so it sounds like it will not expire till 2013.
I can see no reason why you shouldn’t re-use your own car seat as you know it has not suffered any damage.
There should be an expiration date stamped into the plastic on the back of the seat. If your new baby will be born past that expiration date, then I would donate it so someone else can get some use out of it before then. If not, you could go ahead and use it again. I believe the usual lifespan of an infant seat is about 6 years, so you should be fine to reuse it.
yes. if you bought it new because it hasn’t benn too long… but if you bought it used I would check the expiration date on it.
The seat should have a manufacture date printed somewhere on it, if that is less than 5 years old you should be all set. After 5 years the plastic starts to break down and the seat should be replaced (as the seat will no longer be as safe). You should also go online and make sure there have not been any recalls issued on that seat. For the 5 year rule: also note that once the seat hits 5 years old, even if you are still using it, it should be replaced.
That is fine. As long as there haven’t been any recalls on your seat since then it will work. So you might want to double check online to see if a recall has happened. But graco is really good brand so I doubt there has been a recall.
The main reason you aren’t suppose to buy a used car seat is because it is impossible to know if it has been in a wreck. But since you know it hasn’t then it that is great. I am using my Graco Snugride that I bought for my first back in 2006 for my youngest now.
yes it fine.
providing you’ve never been in any form of an accident, and it has been stored so its condiiton is not impaired in any way, then it’s fine. I’m due in Feb too (13th) and am planning on reusing our daughter’s infant car seat for this one.
No car seat should ever be re-used if it’s been in an accident, even if it seems ok. This is why they should always be bought new, not 2nd hand.
Yes, I used my sister’s Graco for my son at first. It’s fine.
Yes, the answers you’ve gotten are correct. There is a life span of 6 years on Graco’s “1st step/snug-ride” products. Companies stress not to re-use car seats due to the liability, not safety. The only thing is you want to make sure it is a 5-point harness not an over the shoulder bar. Five point harnesses have the belts go over the two shoulders, strap down to the two hips and down in between the crotch with a connection in front of the breast plate at the height of the arm pits. If you purchased it brand new, it shouldn’t expire until 2013 or so. If bought in 2007, Graco’s snug-ride was #1 in Consumer Digest’s crash tests so you should be fine. All you want to do it make sure it hasn’t been in any wrecks, which sounds like you already know it hasn’t. Make sure it hasn’t had any recalls, you can check that online.Then, have it inspected and installed properly by your local sheriff’s or fire department (the store you purchased it at may offer installation at a small fee or free).You can also purchase brand new covers for the model you have from online Graco stores if you would like, it sounds like you’ll get you money’s worth out of this car seat. Good luck
As long as it hasn’t been in a wreck and as long as it’s not managed to find it’s way onto a recall list….it should be fine.
I’m reusing mine from 2006.