infant car seat about to expire

[Linda McDonald]

I have a Primmo Viaggio (PV) infant car seat that will expire on 12/20/07. My baby is due on 9/3 and I'm debating whether or not to allow her to use the PV until Dec when I can put her in the Marathon or Roundabout or should I just go ahead and purchase a new Snug Ride. Even though the manufacturer says the PV is okay to use up to five years, I want to be as safe as possible. My mom said she would purchase the Snug Ride for me but I don't want her to have to spend the money if not necessary, especially on something that will only be used for a couple of months. Also, would it be safer to keep her in the infant carrier even though I was told she could move to the Marathon or Roundabout at nine pounds? Not sure which would be the best and safest option. Some advice/opinons would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Linda

	Infant Car Seats Infant-only rear-facing seats are for babies up to about 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the specific car seat. You will need a new seat when your child gets bigger. Infant-only seats have handles that allow you to move the seat from the car to the house or other locations. Some have a base that you can leave installed in the car, so you can just click the car seat into place each time you use it.

	Britax Roundabout - Click for more info With the introduction of the new LATCH laws, Britax has improved even further upon their famously popular Roundabout Convertible Car Seat. This car seat has been praised by just about every consumer safety organization and mom and dad out there - and for good reason. It is easy to install, compatible in just about every car, super comfortable for baby, stylish and most importantly safe! Ask around and you will see that everyone raves about this car seat.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

	Graco SnugRide - Click for more info The Graco SnugRide with EPS infant car seat is a highly popular and top-rated infant car seat that provides first-rate transportation safety for your baby, plus convenient mobility options for you. Even with its relatively low price, the Graco SnugRide with EPS receives unmatched praise for its safety by leading consumer magazines and websites.

[Papooses]

So long as the PV has been stored in a dry, tempurature controlled environment + it fits the vehicle correctly, I would feel fine using it Britax minimum weight is 5# but just remember that the harness slots must be at or below the top of the shoulders (when RF)

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

[Linda McDonald]

That's the thing, I got it from a friend and I think she may have stored it in the attic. I was wondering if it would still be safe considering an attic can get pretty hot. I have another friend who is willing to give me a Snug Ride that is about three years old. The thing is, it's been through two families already and although she says it's never been in an accident, I don't know how it was stored (I believe in a garage) and whether or not it's been dropped or damaged. So based all of the above, would it be best to just get a new one or am I being overly cautious?

Thanks!

Linda

	Graco SnugRide - Click for more info The Graco SnugRide with EPS infant car seat is a highly popular and top-rated infant car seat that provides first-rate transportation safety for your baby, plus convenient mobility options for you. Even with its relatively low price, the Graco SnugRide with EPS receives unmatched praise for its safety by leading consumer magazines and websites.

[Papooses]

Aha -- previously used carseats are generally a bad idea all around > Used Seat Checklist

[Linda McDonald]

Is that just because you don't know their history in terms of storage, damage, etc? So I guess there are more factors than whether or not they were in a wreck?

Linda

[lindykatherine]

If you do decide to use a "used" car seat or one that is given to you, just please make sure to find an owner's manual somewhere. I know you can get them online at Graco's website if you use their car seats. I have watched a friend misuse her car seat because she got it from her sister who doesn't have an owner's manual anymore. That is the scariest part about using a car seat that you didn't buy new, is that you don't know all of the instructions for it. That's just my thoughts on it!

	Graco - Click for more info Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety.

[Papooses]

The Used Seat Checklist pretty much explains it all -- if you trust the previous owner to answer truthfully, then at least do make sure you have a manual....