Car seats in Canada are typically considered "good for" or safe to use for between 6 and 10 years from their date of manufacture. This lifespan is not an arbitrary number but is determined by the seat's manufacturer and is based on factors like material degradation from temperature fluctuations, exposure to sunlight, and the evolution of safety standards. The most critical step is to locate the expiry date, which is permanently stamped on the seat itself, often on the back or bottom.
Using a car seat past its expiration date is a significant safety risk. The plastics and polymers in the seat's shell and harness can become brittle over time, losing their ability to absorb crash forces effectively. Furthermore, older seats lack the safety improvements and mandatory regulations of newer models.
| Car Seat Type | Typical Lifespan (Canada) | Key Factors Influencing Lifespan |
|---|
| Infant Car Seat | 6-7 years | Frequent installation/removal, plastic stress. |
| Convertible Seat | 8-10 years | Longer use, exposure to spills and wear. |
| Booster Seat | 8-10 years | Simpler design, but materials still degrade. |
| All-in-One Seat | 8-10 years | Designed for extended use across stages. |
| Average Industry Standard | 8-10 years | Based on manufacturer testing and material science. |
Always check for the specific expiry date on your model. Other reasons to replace a seat immediately include involvement in a moderate or severe crash (even if no damage is visible), if it has been recalled, or if the manual and labels are missing, making proper use impossible. When a seat expires, you should render it unusable by cutting the harness straps and taking it to a recycling program to prevent someone else from using it unsafely.
