*** Please note that is article focuses on CANADIAN car seats ***

As children grow, they will outgrow a car seat and move up to the next phase.  When you’re done using that seat, many parents don’t know what to do with them.  A lot of parents will want to sell them because they made a big investment and want some money back, or they think that their seat has enough life in it for another family.  This is not always the case.

There are a few things to consider:

• Is your seat expired? 
• Has it been in a collision?
• Does it meet the January 2012 regulations?

Is my seat expired?

If your car seat is expired, then you should have stopped using it for your own child.  Seats are only good for a certain period of time.  

This is due to:

• the stress of being installed
• the stress used with a child
• the stress that changes in temperature affect the plastic

To find out if your seat is expired, please read this post — car seats expire…and other safety tips

Please read below for how to dispose of an un-safe seat.

Was your car seat in a collision?

If your seat has been in a collision, it must be disposed of immediately.  Even a “minor fender bender” has potential to damage the seat.

I hear a lot of parents say, “but it wasn’t a big collision, the seat is fine.”  My question is always, “How do you know?”  There is no way to know the extent of the stress that a collision (big or small) puts on a car seat.  Manufacturers know this which it is why they print it in all car seat owners manuals to replace a seat after a collision.

Why would want to take a chance, and guess that the seat is fine?  It would be very unfortunately to get in a second collision only to find out that the seat was not fine, and your child is injured or worse.

Please read below for how to dispose of an un-safe seat.

Does your seat meet the January 2012 regulations?

On January 1, 2012, Transport Canada changed some of the regulations affecting child car seats.  The regulations didn’t change the laws, just some of the rules that manufacturers have to follow when designing car seats. (read Transport Canada’s site)

If you have a seat made prior to January 2012, you can keep using it until your child outgrows it.  You do not have to go out an replace your seats but that seat cannot change ownership.

You will not be able to sell a used car seat that does not meet the January 2012 regulations.  

All seats that are sold, in a store or resale by a car seat owner, must meet these new regulations.  

To find out if your seat meets these regulations

• you have to call the manufacturer of your seat and ask them. 
• check this “quick reference guide” (a call to manufacturer might give you more piece of mind)

If your seat does not meet the regulations you CANNOT sell it or give it away.  It is ILLEGAL!

Please read below for how to dispose of an un-safe seat.

Proper disposal of a un-safe car seat:

If your seat is expired, has been in a collision, or was made before January 2012 and does not meet the Jan 2012 regulations:

• cut the harness straps and fabric, making it undesirable for someone else to take
• put it in a garbage bag, if possible
• throw it out on garbage day or take it to your local waste facility

If your seat does meet the regulations or is made after January 2012 and is not expired or damaged: you are free to do with it as you choose.

Please keep in mind  that Health Canada has rules around what can be sold.  Please read their “Facts for Garage Sale Vendors” for more info.

Car seats must have a National Safety Mark and meet current regulatory requirements. Remember that it is illegal to sell car seats that do not meet the current regulatory requirements. You should always check with the manufacturer before selling a car seat. Car seats must come with warnings, guidelines for use, installation instructions, and date of manufacture. Do not sell a car seat that is past the lifespan recommended by the manufacturer or that has been in a vehicle during a collision. Before selling a used car seat, check with  Transport Canada(1-800-333-0371 or www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety) for more information and to find out if the car seat has been recalled. Also, be sure that it is in good condition with no missing parts and with functioning anchoring systems.

Questions?

Please leave a comment below as other parents may have the same questions!

Please note: I am a certified Child Restraint Technician in Ontario, Canada. Please check your local laws about car seats and always read your vehicle owner’s manual and car seat manual before installing your child seats.

This data will be updated as required.