5 ways to spot a knock off car seat
By Tucson Medical Center
·
06/08/2022
5 ways to spot a knock-off car seat
When it comes to shopping for a car seat for your child, it is important to make sure you are getting a safe one. Many websites sell car seats that appear to be made by reputable manufacturers, but at a much lower cost. While it may be tempting to buy one to save a few dollars, make sure you’re not sacrificing safety by getting a knock-off.
Here are five ways you can spot a knock-off car seat:
- It doesn’t come with a registration card.
- It most likely won’t come with an owner’s manual, and if it does, it is poorly written with numerous spelling and grammatical errors.
- It will not come with chest clips, which are required by U.S. standards.
- It won’t come with lower anchor connectors, which are also a safety requirement.
- It may or may not come with labels or stickers on the side. If it does come with stickers, it won’t list the manufacturer’s website. Additionally, it won’t list the model number, a customer service number or date of manufacture.
“It is really important that parents and caregivers understand that if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is,” said Jessica Mitchell, Program Manager of Outreach. “Websites to avoid when buying a car seat include AliExpress, Wish.com and eBay. Items from AliExpress and Wish.com are usually coming straight from Chinese manufacturers that do not follow U.S. standards.”
Parents should also be aware of third-party sellers on Walmart.com and Amazon.com, as they are often knock-offs that cannot be returned.
If you’re in the market for a car seat and want to make sure you are buying one that is legitimate, see if it is listed on the American Academy of Pediatrics car seat product listing.
