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mugaliens
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mugaliens said:Yet I, as a child, "somehow" survived the nonexistence of car seats when we were kids in the 60s, and utterly intact.
mugaliens said:Yet I, as a child, "somehow" survived the nonexistence of car seats when we were kids in the 60s, and utterly intact. My parent's were very cautious drivers.
That doesn't change the fact that some drivers out there aren't cautious at all.
DavidSnider said:People "somehow" survived without antibiotics. That doesn't mean it's not a good idea.
cobalt124 said:I wouldn't buy a secondhand anything from anyone I didn't know and trust where a childs safety is an issue.
AlephZero said:That's not a very rational position to take.
Was your house built entirely from new, and only by people you knew and trusted? Is the same true for everything in your house that might possibly harm your kids? Do you only feed them with food grown by people you know and trust? Getting closer to car seats, was your car built (and is it maintained) only by people you know and trust?
It is possible the answers to all those questions are "yes", but most kids get along just fine without such paranoia. In fact they may be better off learning how to evaluate risks for themselves (and making a few non-fatal mistakes along the way) rather than living in an artificial bubble.
The safety of an old car seat depends on several factors. If the car seat is less than 6 years old, has never been in a crash, and has no visible damage, it is generally considered safe to use. However, if the seat is older than 6 years, has been in a crash, or has any damage, it should not be used as it may no longer meet safety standards.
When purchasing a car seat, look for one that meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213. This means that the seat has been tested and approved for use in motor vehicles. Additionally, look for a seat that has been certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), as this indicates that the seat meets current safety standards.
It is generally not recommended to reuse a car seat for a younger child, unless it meets the criteria for being safe to use. As children grow, their bodies change and a seat that was once a good fit may no longer provide adequate protection. Additionally, car seat technology and safety standards may have changed, making an older seat less safe for a younger child.
Car seats come with expiration dates for a reason. The materials and components used in car seats can degrade over time, making them less effective in protecting your child in a crash. The average lifespan of a car seat is 6 years. After this time, it is recommended to replace the seat with a new one that meets current safety standards.
The safest way to install a car seat is to follow the manufacturer's instructions and use either the LATCH system or the vehicle's seat belt to secure the seat. Make sure the seat is tightly secured and does not move more than an inch in any direction. Additionally, make sure the harness straps are snug and properly positioned on your child's body.