DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — Wiregrass parents and caregivers looking for a deal on a car seat are being reminded to use caution, especially when buying through online marketplaces, yard sales or other secondhand sources.
The National Child Passenger Safety Board is warning families that some car seats offered online or secondhand may be counterfeit. While a low price can be tempting, counterfeit seats may not have been tested to required safety standards and could put a child at risk.
The warning does not mean counterfeit car seats have been reported locally. Instead, it serves as a reminder for families across Dothan and the surrounding Wiregrass to know what to look for before purchasing or using a seat.
Parents should check the car seat for a permanent manufacturer label that includes important identifying information, including the model number and date of manufacture.
Families purchasing a new car seat are encouraged to buy from an authorized retailer. Extra caution should be used with unfamiliar online sellers or marketplace listings, particularly when a price seems unusually low.
Parents who already purchased a car seat secondhand or online and have questions about whether it is legitimate do not have to figure it out alone.
A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can help inspect a seat, while the car seat manufacturer can help verify model information and determine whether the product is legitimate.
For Wiregrass families, the message is simple: Before putting a child in a car seat, take a few minutes to check the labels, know where the seat came from and make sure it meets safety standards.
A bargain may save a few dollars, but a child’s car seat is one purchase where safety should come first.
