Car Seat Recall Survival Guide

April 26, 2008 – 3:07 pm

by Jayna Ginny

Whenever you buy a car seat for your child, you should always make sure you stay abreast of all the product recalls that may come up later. You can do this by tuning into the news frequently, or better yet, by visiting websites that will let you know when car seat recalls are in effect.

But let’s assume the worst happens and your child’s car seat is recalled: What now?

The first thing to do is either visit the manufacturer of the recalled seat, or dial the toll-free number. It’s quite likely that the manufacturer will have a section of their website or a phone line set up for the recall.

Whenever there’s a recall, car seat companies won’t mess around. They want to make sure your child is safe. Just follow the instructions you see on the website or hear on the phone line.

When you call or visit the website, have your child’s car seat handy. You may need a model name (found on the instruction manual) or a serial number.

Don’t be surprised if you’re advised to keep using the car seat until you get your repair kit in the mail. It’s important to remember that in nearly all cases, it’s safer for your child to be in a recalled seat than it is for him or her to be in the car without a child safety restraint device.

Here’s another way to stay on top of car seat recalls: Whenever you buy a car seat for your child, register it with the manufacturer. Like many products, all car seats come with a registration card.

Of course, people usually toss them out. But in this case, it’s important to register your car seat so that the company can contact you.

There’s no guarantee that the company won’t use your address for annoying advertisements, but at least you have the assurance of knowing you’ll be contacted if there’s a recall.

Remember, just because a car seat has a recall, it doesn’t mean it’s a bad seat. Errors occur in all manufacturing, and when these errors are found in a car seat, the company usually works very quickly to correct them.

If you’re still concerned after hearing about a car seat recall, speak to a company representative. They can probably give you peace of mind and might even be able to give you sound advice.

About the Author:

Before you buy a car seat, make sure to visit Car Seat Reviews for in-depth reviews on every brand from Graco Car Seats to Britax Car Seats.

Tags: Babies Toddler