For parents, child safety is of extreme importance. One way to increase the safety of infants and children is to properly secure them in the correct type of safety seat for their age and size every time they travel in a motor vehicle. However, at times the safety of the child seat itself comes into question and the product must be recalled. Parents should immediately stop using a child safety seat once it has been recalled. Below is information to help parents keep abreast of which child safety seats have been recalled.
How Do I Check to See If Child Safety Seats Have Been Recalled?
Step 1
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is an office within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that conducts defect investigations and administers safety recalls. To check for current recalls, visit www.safercar.gov or call 888-327-4236.
Step 2
Click on the "Safety Recalls" link on the left column of the safercar.gov website. On the next page click on "Search for a Recall" to enter product information.
Step 3
Select the "child restraint" option under "Type of Search." Then enter the brand name and the model number of the child safety seat. Select the "component" box to receive a full summary of the defect.
Step 4
Click on "Retrieve Recalls" to get information on your child safety seat model. If the model has had a defect or has been recalled, read the instructions under "Remedy" and "Notes" to find out what should be done with the child safety seat.
Tips and Warnings
- • NHTSA recommends registering your child seat with the manufacturer so that you are immediately notified in the event of a recall. • Do not use a car seat if you are unsure of its history, if the seat has any visible cracks or if the seat has been involved in a car crash. • If you suspect your child safety seat is defective, you can report it through the ODI Safety Complaint line. ODI maintains this line to gather information on possible defect trends that could lead to a recall. • Healthychildren.org provides a comprehensive list of car safety seats, manufacturers, and instructions on how to properly assemble child safety seats
