We tried to sell our home last year, but it didn't work. We are still not giving up hope, so I am continuing to go through all the stuff we have accumulated over the years, including my son's baby stuff, which I hesitated getting rid of wondering if we would have any more kids.

My son is now 9, and all of the stuff I used when he was a baby has been out of production for so long that there are no parts available for anything. His crib had a missing part, so I threw that out. His high chair got broken when I moved it from one side of the attic to the other and dropped it, so I had to throw that out.

Now his Kolcraft infant car seat is in great condition, but just needs a new seat cover. I emailed customer service at Kolcraft, and I was told this:

Good afternoon Lisa, we haven't manufactured car seats since 1999 and have no parts available for them. Also the Juvenile Manufacturing Products Association recommends that all car seats be replaced every 5 years because they no longer meet safety standards.

Thanks very much

Have a WONDERFUL day

Delilah

So, is this something that you advise as well? Is it true that products older than 5 years no longer meet safety standards? What do you think I should do with it?

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 06:32 pm:

I don't have much time to type now, but definitely destroy and dispose of this car seat. Not only is it too old and not up to current safety standards, but most likely has been recalled.

More info here:

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 06:34 pm:

Let's try that link again...

Used Child Safety Seat Checklist

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 05:40 pm:

Okay, thanks Trina.

I guess I'm one of those "Can't throw away a perfectly good (whatever)" type of person, and I hate to see that we spend good money on equipment for our infants only to find that within a matter of time it all turns into junk for one reason or another.

So, destroy it I will.

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 06:10 pm:

The 6 yr. expiration rule applies specifically to car seats. Not all baby gear is designed or expected to withstand crash forces to protect little ones.

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 06:50 pm:

Oh, I understand. It's just been my experience that once it needs maintenance or becomes old, it's ready for the dump.

Well, mission accomplished. I took a hammer to it and beat two big holes in it. It took some effort, but no one else will be able to use it.

Thanks for the advice!

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 07:32 pm:

There, not a total loss. It served as a stress reliever! LOL! I suggest removing the cover and cutting the harness straps to be *sure* no one will be able to use it.

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 09:24 pm:

I must admit, it was kind of fun!

The mounting brackets that hold the straps on to the body of the seat were completely busted off. And the over-the-shoulder strap that connected to the mounting brackets are in the trash can in the house, so they won't even be in that trash load. (Trash goes out tomorrow morning.)

When I threw out my son's high chair and crib, I literally babysat the trash until the trash truck came to get it. We have a lot of people who drive through our neighborhood looking for trash treasures. Since his crib was a metal tubular one, I honestly couldn't dismantle it any further than just disconnecting the sides and removing the brackets. I had disassembled the high chair tray and part of the seat, too.