Hello,
I am writing because our current infant seat is too old, it is now seven years old now. It is still in great condition, but when our 2yr old was born the nurses were concerned that it had only one position for the straps. (I have also heard that you shouldn't use any car seat older than 5yrs.)It's part of an Evenflo stroller set and we would love to get one that would "snap" on to the stroller we have if possible. Does anyone have any suggestions? I was also wondering what to do with the old one. Do we just throw it away? That seems like such a waste.
I contacted the local WIC program and was told that the Children's Hospital in Madison sells infant carriers and car seats at cost to the public. The do have a limited selection, but any one can purchase. They do have an evenflo embrace that is a reasonable price, less than $50.00 (which is almost half price) or a Graco snugride for less than $90(about $10 less than stores) I'm considering either one of those. Does anyone have an Evenflo Embrace and like it? I've heard wonderful things about the Graco snugride. I'm also considering just skipping the carrier and going strait for the convertible seat. Still on the fence about what I should do. As for the old one, I am cutting the straps, and will either recycle it or let the girls use it for their baby dolls for awhile.
About getting rid of the carseat... seek recycling it if possible. I mean, I know how expensive car seats are so throwing it away does seem wasteful but they do have expiration dates for a reason I guess.
There are programs out there that give away carseats to families that need them. In my area, there's a program called Healthy Start. I think it is through WIC.
Hope I helped some =)
I, too, have heard that you shouldn't use a carseat older than 5 years b/c the plastic and the straps have worn down and wouldn't be as effective in a crash. I'm not sure what you should do with your old one...maybe ask at a firestation or EMT place; they might be able to use it for demonstrations on correct installation? I have a Graco navy with green trim infant carseat (new in 2005) with 2 blue bases that I am trying to sell...let me know if you are interested.
We loved our Graco Snugride. But, if you already have an Evenflo stroller that you want to use, go with Evenflo. I would call Babies R Us to make sure that a new seat would fit your old stroller. I know that all Graco seats fit Graco strollers.
If you have an exersaucer, swing or highchair already, you may want to go with the same brand seat/stroller. The toys are then interchangable.
I'm not sure about disposing of the old seat. It doesn't sound as safe as the newer ones, but I agree, it sounds like a waste! Let us know if you find a great place to recycle it.
Unfortunately, yes you should just throw it away because it is too old to be safe for anyone to use. You can't really donate it to anyone because of the safety issue. As far as the stroller system, most brands snap into the same brand stroller, even if they don't match (ex. a Graco car seat will snap into a Graco stroller usually). But just to make sure, bring the stroller into the store when you are checking out carseats.
What I was told by a safety expert for child safety seats is you need to cut the straps and throw it in the garbage. I agree, what a waste of plastic.
It doesn't meet current standards and I personally wouldn't give it to anybody in need but you could check with your local ECFE facility. They are connected with the school systems I think and offer sliding scale fee classes for newborns-school age programs.
We went with a Graco SafeSeat because it could be used rear facing until our son was 30 lbs and 32in(He was 2). There was no need to have the infant seat, the convertable, the booster.... We went from the Safe Seat to the booster with a 5 point harness! Although if I did it over I would have gotten a Britax instead of the Graco booster... but you still have a while before that.
Carseats should definetly be destroyed after 5-6 years. I would sent it straigt to the trash can so that another family who may not be aware of the dangers of using an old carseat dont risk thier babies lives. I know that it is wasteful, but better safe then sorry.
I hope that you find a a seat the works well for you and the new baby!
It does seem wastefull to throw it away. What we did was put it on our curb with a free sign. It was gone within an hour. So someone obviously needed it. Call the company and ask them if any of their other seats are compatible with the stroller. the company might offer you a discount if you buy another car seat threw them.
Go with the brand Graco and just buy new.
Most carseats expire 6yrs from the date of manufacture. There are a few on the market that are 8, but again general 'rule' is 6yrs. If in doubt, call the manufacturer and ask. I know that Evenflo is 6yrs though.
ANYWAY, do NOT give the seat away, cut the harness straps, remove the cover, and write 'DO NOT USE' in black marker on the plastic and THROW IT AWAY! It may seem like a waste, but it has served its life.... 7yrs is a long time for a piece of plastic. So get rid of it safely (cut straps, remove cover, write DO NOT USE on it) and call it a day. Plastic goes through a process called photodegeneration, much like the plastic toy in your yard that gets faded and weak in the sun, the same thing happens to a car seat over time. Of course hte plastic is of higher grade, however its still only plastic and can only hold up to so much, that is hwy they expire, and why they are not safe to give away after the expiration, or a crash.
You can buy a new evenflo seat that will work with your existing stroller.
