Unexpected "gifts", unintended consequences

 

So, here is a challenge that I haven't found a way to address, so I am posting this as an attempt to address it, car seats dropped off at my house.

To start, whoever dropped off this Chicco Fit2 series Key-Fit car seat, I won't say thanks because it presents a problem I will address in a minute. This seat was likely left for me so I can assist a family in need who could benefit from having an infant carrier style car seat for an expected newborn.

But, I didn't receive it, so I was unable to vet the seat with the donor. Also, it is missing parts, and it cannot go to a family expecting a newborn without the missing parts. Good thought, poorly executed by someone taking advantage of being able to determine where I live.

Please do not drop off car seats at my, or any other safety professional without talking to us first. It is rude and shows you have no respect for our privacy. Additionally, in my area, this is considered dumping trash, and I can be fined for someone doing this, and I do not want a fine from the local authorities. Also, I have had to install video surveillance, and, in the process, I capture an image of the person dropping off items along with information about their vehicle that I pass along to the local authorities to lessen the likelihood that I get a fine. Local authorities will make their own decision about the donor.

There are so many parts of this I do not like. With the vetting of a car seat, if it is complete, I can get it to a family in need. Win, not trash, not recycled, better us of a product with a finite product life that can serve the needs of another family. Lose, it goes to recycling and doesn't serve any community good and there is a cost of passing the seat along that I get stuck with.

Now, can I expect everyone looking to dispose of a car seat to fine and read this blog post, no. A simple search for information on recycling a car seat in Colorado should yeild the information that will allow someone to do the right thing without inconveniencing me. I established car seat recycling in Colofado almost 25 years ago, and the program is now collecting used car seats from all over the state. Success!

When it comes to used car seats, the information in this post should answer most questions, but if you need more, find me through the About Me page or at this link; The Used Car Seat Blog (usedcarseats.blogspot.com) or through the magic of search.

When moving to forward facing

I decided to use a recent text exchange to share some thoughts, here it goes:

 Hi Bill!!! Hope you are well. Thank you again for all your help with our kiddo's car seat.

I have some friends transitioning out of their Doona’s for now (will prob have another kid so not donating them just yet) but do you have a fancy and an affordable recommendation for the next size up? Would you suggest going to a convertible one that lasts until they entirely grow out of car seats? Any opinion about the ones that can turn around when you’re parked to access baby? (The swivel ones) >The swivel style seats are an old idea that's become fashionable now that the patent IP is now public domain. The two things to consider with these seats are size & weight, so a larger vehicle helps. Like the with Doona, you need the real estate in the vehicle. Before purchasing, I advocate some tire kicking, put the kiddo in a display seat at a local retail store to make sure it fits the child well. Even if the planned purchase will be made online, trying the seat first can save time & headaches. Do not order online, try and return when it's not a good fit, those seats get destroyed because they now are used and have an unknown history. This wastes seats and drives up costs. I have sample car seats for this purpose, often donated* by retailers for show & tell because they won't be sold. With 37 years in the field, my experience is almost second to none. As you've experienced, 30 minutes with me can save hours and provide peace of mind you can't get from a video experience. As for the "forever" seats, I see mostly Graco, Britax, Evenflo, Safety 1st, Nuna and Chicco. I've worked with all the forever & 360 style seats. The challenge is tall parents, meaning tall kids. All seats are designed around the 50% size kiddo, so kids often outgrown the 360's and forever faster than average, so they're not always the good value they're marketed as. Always best to talk as there other variables that need consideration that rarely get addressed in reviews, or "on the box" as I like to put it. >>My follow on for this Blog is as follows. First, the dad I was communicating with was appreciative and a little caught off guard by how much there is to consider. Honestly, in person I would expand on this and add a few "food for thought" items. That will be another Blog after this year's Denver Auto Show. I will throw in there the importance of using the vehicle seat belt for the installation of these larger and heavier car seats, along with using the tether strap when forward facing and not the LATCH system lower anchor strap. Remember, LATCH is a convenience installation system and NOT the same as a seat belt. It's nerdy, and wordy, but there is a lot to add to flesh this out and help this all make sense. So, another Blog in the near future.

Lastly, for this Blog entry, and there will also be more to come, when it comes to all car seats, price does not determine safety. Price is maybe a little better engineering, some upgraded materials and extra features. I'm a techy and a car guy, so I like bells and whistles, but if they make the car seat harder for the family to use properly every time**, all the extra stuff, dollars, features do not make the car seat safer. More to follow.

* responsible retailers are concerned with potential liability, so when a car seat is purchased, used for a visiting family member and returned to the retailer the seat is considered suspect and either recycled, sent to the land fill or if a local educator (like me) is available it might be donated for demonstration use. Sadly, option A & B are most common. Option C is used when the local retail manager is aware of the option, and with retail turnover, keeping in front of these store managers can be a full-time job. Please don't buy, use and return as it drives up the cost of goods for retail and we all pay for it. Borrow or rent from a reputable service provider. My organization has been providing this service directly, and with partner organizations, for over 25 years.

** the best car seat, no exceptions here, is one that fits the child, fits your vehicle and will be used properly for every ride. No brand is best. No model or style is best. Quality education from an experienced car seat technician, transportation safety coach, makes all the difference. Its 2025, I'm still checking between 25 to 30 car seats a week. It is rare to find more than 1 car seat a week that is correctly installed and used. So, gain piece of mind by engaging a professional. The guessing and assumptions I see might cause injury or worse if there's a crash, so spend a little time and money and know you're creating the best safety environment you can. Lives are depending on it.