When you get a car seat, installing and buckling it properly should be your number one priority. However, before you put the seat in the car and practice strapping your baby in, you need to register your car seat. This is a really important part of car seat safety, but it’s often skipped! The minute your seat arrives at your house, get that thing registered with the manufacturer.
When you register your car seat, it puts you on a notification list with the manufacturer. Then, if there is a problem with the car seat and a recall is issued, you’ll be notified. This way, you can always have peace of mind that your car seat is safe!
So, how do you register your car seat? Here’s our step-by-step guide:
How to Register Your Car Seat
1. Gather the information you need.
First up, search the car seat for the white sticker that includes the model name, manufacturer name, model number, and date of manufacture. You’ll need all this to ensure you get the correct recall information if one should be issued. Once you get to plugging in the information, they’ll also ask for your name, address, and email.
2. Fill out the included card.
If your car seat is new, there is a registration card included. It’s a white piece of cardstock on the tag or inside the manual. Take the card, fill it out, and mail it in! This registration form is all you need to get your car seat registered with the manufacturer.
Or, register it on the manufacturer’s website.
If you got a used car seat, or you already lost the registration card. (Don’t worry, it happens!) Go ahead and travel to your car seat manufacturer’s website to register your seat. If you’re unsure of the manufacturer’s name, you can register your car seat on the National Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. So, if that registration form is gone, don’t sweat it!
3. Keep an eye out for recalls.
Once the car seat is registered, keep an eye out in your email for a recall notice. National safety standards require car seat manufacturers to notify you if there’s a recall. These are super important! If there’s a recall issued, it’s because there is an issue with the seat. It could be something that’s easy to fix, like a missing sticker that will be supplied by the manufacturer, or it could be a serious issue related to crash performance that would require you to stop using your seat while you wait for the manufacturer to handle the situation. You don’t want to miss that email in a sea of spam or an automatic junk sorter. So, keep your eyes peeled for emails from your manufacturer.
What to Do in Case of A Recall
1. Read the specifics carefully.
If there is a recall issued, read the recall information carefully. Ensure that it’s relevant to your car seat specifically. Additionally, as you read, you’ll get more information on the nature of the problem so you can take the best course of action to keep your family safe.
2. Contact the manufacturer.
Next, call the car seat manufacturer to confirm your car seat is the recalled product. Then, get clarification on the problem and ask about the recall process. Sometimes, they simply issue a new part that fixes a minor issue, and other times, they provide a refund for a complete product replacement.
3. Don’t use the car seat until the new part is installed.
If there’s a new part coming, do not use the car seat until it comes. All recalls are safety recalls. Using the car seat with the defective element is a huge safety hazard, so don’t put your child in the car seat until the new part is correctly installed.
4. Replace the car seat if required.
If the manufacturer will issue a full refund for the replacement of the car seat, don’t delay. Get a new car seat right away. Don’t use the defective one even one more time. It’s unsafe. Period. To keep kiddos safe in the seat, their car seat must meet top-notch safety standards.
Check out our Car Seat Buying Kits to learn what to look for in a car seat and how to choose one that’s compatible with your lifestyle, then be equipped with our recommended list of car seats.
5. Post about the recall.
Others might not have been as diligent as you with registering their car seat, so if the manufacturer issues a recall, post about it! Make sure everyone with the product knows that there’s a safety issue. You can also keep up with recalls on the National Highway Traffic Safety website. They keep an updated list of all car seat-related recalls!
Registering your car seat is an important part of keeping your child safe in their seat!
Don’t view registering your car seat as optional. Prioritize registering your car seat with the manufacturer so you get notified of any safety recalls. If you are notified there’s an issue, take action right away to keep your kiddos safe. A new part or new car seat might be necessary to keep your child safe.
If you didn’t know about this important car seat safety step, you’re not alone. At Safe in the Seat, we know that finding trusted, comprehensive information on car seat safety is tough. That’s why we created an all-encompassing resource that includes everything you need to be confident in your car seat safety knowledge! Whether you’re in the Infant Stage, the Toddler Stage, or the Big Kid Stage, we’ve got you covered!
Check out our courses and resources for more information. And be sure you’re following along on Instagram and YouTube for fun, free content, too! We’re here to help you through every stage of the car seat and parenting journey!
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