What To Do When Your Child’s Car Seat is Recalled*

All parents do their best to keep their kids safe. Particularly when they are little. So, it is not surprising that in virtually every country sales of child car seats have gradually risen.

Be aware that not every child seat is safe

They are certainly doing their best to keep their children safe. The only problem is that not all manufacturers are doing the same. Some of them are trying to make a quick buck by selling products they know are shoddy. While others are trying their best, but occasionally dropping the ball and end up selling something that is not up to the job. When that happens, recalls are issued.

If you find yourself in a car accident, it can be made 10x worse if your child’s car seat isn’t serving its purpose, to protect your child – see South Carolina and Georgia auto accident FAQ for more information on your next steps in this scenario.

Respond promptly and follow the instructions 

As soon as you become aware that your child’s car seat is subject to a recall, stop using it. Go to your local consumer protection website or the manufacturer´s and follow the instructions that have been given for sending it back.

Keep evidence of your return

It is wise to photograph and video the item before you return it. Focus on any known weak areas or places where you can see signs of wear or existing damage.

Keep evidence of postage and dig out the original receipt. That way you will be able to prove you sent it back and make sure that you receive all of the money that you are owed.

Consider contacting a personal injury lawyer

If you have been affected by a faulty car seat that has resulted in an injury, make sure to do your research online. It may be possible to make a claim of some sort. Many lawyers pull groups of people together to create class actions.

Make sure that you do not inadvertently miss a recall

Before I sign off, I want to just mention the fact that you are going to be proactive about making sure that your child is using a safe car seat. Unfortunately, the recall system in many countries is not all robust. The laws are in place and companies regularly get caught making and selling shoddy products and are made to issue a recall.

But, surprisingly, the process of notifying people of recalls is spotty. Often, the manufacturer is slow about letting their customers know that there is a problem. Plus, of course, very few people register the products that they buy. If the manufacturer does not have your details, they cannot get in touch when there is a problem. So, it is a good idea to get into the habit of registering the important items that you buy. You should also periodically check consumer websites like this one that collates the details of recalls. Most countries have them. Doing so will make it more likely that you will pick up on the fact that the car seat your child is using is not as safe as you think it is.