In the event of a serious accident, one of the things that you need to consider after making sure you and your passengers are okay is the state of your vehicle. If you have children, you need to first look at your car’s child restraints.
Typically, you can follow the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) criteria for reusing car seats. However, if your car has sustained severe damage, you may need to have the car seat replaced, even if they were unoccupied during the accident. Let’s look at how you can determine if your car seat needs to be replaced immediately or all you need are some quick repairs from your mechanic.
Car Seat Use After a Crash
There are several criteria that you can use to determine the state of the car seat in relation to the crash.
Safety Check
The NHTSA advises that, no matter how minor the crash is, you should always take the time to check for any possible damage in the car seat. Minor as in any crash, not just car crashes.
The first thing to look for is damage to the general structure of the car seat. If you see something that does not look right, such as a loose fabric or a cracked plastic, you should not use the car seat.
The next thing you need to look for are any loose parts. You will want to check for any missing or loose screws. You should also look for any possible cracks or signs of wear on the harness and buckle.
Check the labels. You will want to look at the car seat’s labels and look for any signs of wear. If you see any missing pieces or if the labels are torn or even slightly faded, you should not use the car seat.
Missing Components
If you find that your car seat has a missing component, you can replace it. However, there are some components that you can still use, even if they are missing.
For example, a missing buckle can still be used. The only thing that you need to do is not to use the chest clip. You should also not use a missing or damaged label.
If you can’t find the missing buckle, you can simply order a replacement from the manufacturer. However, if you can’t find several components, for instance, the base plate or the shoulder part of the harness, then you need to replace the car seat.
When in doubt, contact the manufacturer. They can let you know whether or not a specific part is safe to use.
Damaged Harness
The harness is a very important part of a car seat because it is what keeps your child safe and secure. In some cases, your car seat might have been involved in a crash, whether it is the front seat or the back seat. When this happens, you will want to make sure the harness is in good condition.
Check to make sure that the t-bar is still in its original position. The t-bar is what keeps the harness in its proper position. If it is not in place, you should not use your car seat.
Inspect the straps and make sure they are not too loose or too tight. You should also check to make sure that there are no tears or rips on the straps. You should also check the buckles to make sure that they are still in the right place. If something looks off, you should not use the car seat.
When in doubt, it’s best to order a replacement harness.
Conclusion
Overall, you should consider replacing your car seat if it was involved in any form of a crash. However, if you only suffered minor damage, you could still use your car seat. Just make sure to follow the tips above to ensure that it is in the best condition and that your child can stay safe.
When it comes to your safety, you should always work with a trusted mechanic. SRS Restore is an automotive repair shop focusing on seat belt repair services, offering excellent service to all clients. If you happen to be involved in an accident, our repair technicians can repair and rebuild locked seat belts, restoring them to their original functionality. Contact us today to request a service.