Are you considering buying a second-hand car seat for your child? Here are a few safety precautions to keep in mind.
- Make sure the car seat meets the current Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard and has a National Safety mark on it.
- Check that the car seat comes with warnings, guidelines for use, installation instructions and date of manufacture.
- Please be aware that most, if not all, manufacturers place an expiry date on their child car seats and booster seats, even though it is not regulated or required by Transport Canada. For questions regarding the expiry date for a specific child car seat or booster seat, please contact the manufacturer.
- Make sure the car seat's restraint and the anchoring system are in good working order. Only purchase car seats that are in good condition with no damage or missing parts.
- Check that the car seat has not been in a vehicle during a collision. If the seller does not know the history of the car seat, do not buy it.
Rear-facing seats and front-facing seats are adapted to different stages of your child's development. Make sure you buy a car seat appropriate for your child. Some seats can be used for more than one stage of your child's development.
You cannot advertise, sell or give away car seats or booster seats unless they meet Transport Canada safety requirements. You may need to check with the manufacturer to see if your seat meets the technical requirements.
For more information on car seats, contact Transport Canada at 1-800-333-0371 or visit their website.
To check for recalls, please visit the Healthy Canadians recalls and safety alerts page.