where do you find expiration date on car seat

As parents, we’re meticulous about checking expiration dates on food and medicine, but many of us are surprised to learn that car seats have them, too. It’s a common question that pops up when cleaning out the garage or preparing for a new little one. Knowing this date is a critical part of keeping your child safe, as materials can degrade over time, making the seat less effective in a crash.

If you’re wondering where do you find expiration date on car seat, you’re not alone. The information is always there, but manufacturers don’t always make it obvious. Let’s walk through the most common spots to look so you can check your seat with confidence.

The Most Common Spots to Check for the Expiration Date

Think of the car seat itself as the ultimate instruction manual. The expiration date is almost always printed on a permanent label attached to the plastic shell. The most frequent location is on the back of the seat, the side that faces the vehicle’s backrest. You might also find it on the bottom or the sides. If your seat is installed, you may need to uninstall it to get a clear view of all the surfaces.

Where Do You Find Expiration Date on Car Seat Labels?

Once you’ve found the white sticker with manufacturing details and model numbers, scan it carefully. The expiration date might be listed explicitly as “Do Not Use After,” followed by a month and year. Sometimes, it’s incorporated into the model number or listed as the “Manufacture Date” with a stated lifespan (e.g., “Date of Manufacture: 01/2022. Useful life 8 years”). In this case, you would simply add the lifespan to the manufacture date.

Why Car Seats Actually Expire

It might seem like a ploy to sell more seats, but expiration dates are a serious safety feature. Over the years, plastic can become brittle from repeated temperature changes in a car. Safety standards are also constantly evolving, and an older seat may not offer the same level of protection as a newer model designed with the latest technology and research.

What to Do If You Can’t Find the Date

If you’ve checked every visible surface and label and still can’t find a date, don’t panic. Your next best step is to locate the model name and number, which will be on that same sticker. With that information, you can contact the manufacturer directly. Their customer service team can look up the specific model and provide you with the expiration date or the expected lifespan.

Taking a few minutes to locate and note your car seat’s expiration date is a simple act that provides immense peace of mind. It ensures the safety device you rely on most is in its best possible condition to protect your precious cargo on every journey.