My hubby's truck was rear ended and the britax was in there. We're getting it replaced from the insurance company, so what do I do with the old one? She wasn't in it when it happened but I won't put her back in it because I'm too much of a safety nut. It's a Britax Regent and I've only had it for a few months. The foam on the back got cracked. So do I put it on the curb or what?
See if a recycling company can take it for the plastic and the metal parts. Might as well recycle if we can :D
Cut the straps and take a sledgehammer to the back so its visibly broken and write 'DO NOT USE, DAMAGED!' with black marker on it, and remove the cover (they sell great on eBay) and toss it or call a recycling center.
Check out these guidelines from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/childps/childrestraint...
Since there is "visible damage" it needs to be "trashed"!
Remove the cover (you can keep that - or sell it). Cut the straps. Write DAMAGED DO NOT USE on it. My insurance required me to turn it in to their adjuster. Find out if you need to do so.
Trash or sell it in parts - people often want new covers, or replacement straps.
I would throw it out. I wouldn't risk having another child get potentially hurt because of a carseat that was in an accident. You don't know if there is damage unseen to the naked eye. I would cut the straps and make it unuseable and put it in the garbage. GL
M
First, see if someone in your area recycles car seats. (I should clarify "recycle" -- I mean literally recycle the parts, not refurbish/reuse) We have an auto collision place in Omaha that does.
If you're going to curb/trash it (which you should if you cannot find someone who recycles them), take off the cover, trash the foam/styrofoam, cut the straps. You don't want someone else to pick it up and use it.
Make sure the insurance company doesn't want it. Both times we had accidents they replaced but we had to bring them the old ones.
Check before you get rid of it!!!
H.
If you put it at the curb I would find a way to make it so no one takes it and tries to use it. Would it fit in a large garbage bag?
Trash it. If you won't use it for your own child, why would you risk someone putting *their* child in a damaged seat?
I've heard they shouldn't be used again...maybe check, like Heidi says, and then be sure to get rid of it if they don't want it.
they say that even if it doesn't look damaged... you should throw a carseat out if it has been in a crash...
I am all for helping people... but if there is unseen damage it really isn't safe to give away anymore...
So, I would throw it out unless you want to keep it in the house as a baby lounger or something!
-M.
The foam on the back got cracked, it's trash. Off to the curb it goes!
Totally agree with you to trash it, but 1st cut the straps out of it so it can not be used again. Someone may see it on the curb and think, wow carseat looks brand new.... We've seen people actually dumpster dive for a carseat that was thrown out at a wee-sale for being expired. You may have a carseat recycling center near you as well.
I am the CEO of a passenger transport organisation (buses and cars). We regularly review our child seats and restraints. Just last week I ordered the destruction of many of our dodgy/questionable/borderline children's seats. They will be destroyed by our Fleet Manager personally. I will not risk any children using potentially unsafe restraints and seats. Please ensure your Britax is destroyed and cannot be used by anyone else. :)
I'd ask the fire department. They know about car seats.
I dont know if this was mentioned but you can always call Britax and explain to them what happened they may want your car seat to review it since it was not in a "controlled" crash.
