FYI in case you didn't know!

This is long but very helpful, at least to me!

My mother in law will be our primary source of childcare once I go back to work and we are so thankful for that! Because she will be watching the baby at her home, we have been trying to get some hand-me-down baby gear for her house rather than buying a whole other supply of car seat, crib, changing table, stroller, and everything else she might need. A family member gave us a gently used infant car seat carrier with two bases to help my mother in law out. 

As I was scrolling the Internet last night, I saw a post about expired car seats. I had never heard of this so I clicked. Sure enough, CAR SEATS EXPIRE!! Most car seats are only safe up to six years after their manufacturer date. I checked the sticker on the hand-me-down car seat we received and it says "Do Not Use After December 2015" which is when the baby is due! After doing some research online, the plastic components on the car seats, after being exposed to the sun and heat of a car, breaks down in strength. After several years, the plastic will no longer withold the impact of a crash and can injure your baby further in an accident. HOW SCARY!

The good news is that Babies R Us holds an expired car seat event frequently where they will take expired car seats and give you a 20% coupon toward new baby gear. 

If you have an expired car seat, you can't sell it or donate it. If you can't get to an expired car seat event to turn it in, you can simply dispose of it by leaving it out with your trash. You are simply asked to cut the straps completely before putting it out with the trash so that someone who may pick it up can't use it. 

I hope this helps some of you keep those precious babies safe! Check your car seats!