AAA warns parents about counterfeit and unsafe car seats
WESTWOOD, Mass. (WWLP) – In the search for savings, parents are being warned not to gamble with their child's safety.
AAA Northeast is urging families to steer clear of counterfeit and secondhand car seats, which have become increasingly common online and could fail to protect children in the event of a crash.
While raising kids can be costly, experts stress that cutting corners on car seats may come with serious risks. Fake car seats and harnesses—often sold on popular websites at deep discounts—may look like trusted brands, but lack critical safety features and federal approval.
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To help families avoid counterfeit products, AAA Northeast offered tips to identify legitimate car seats. Approved models should include a detailed instruction manual and registration card. They are required to display safety certification labels with the manufacturer's name, date of manufacture, and, in many cases, an expiration date. Labels should also state: 'This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.'
Newer seats often feature QR codes linking directly to the manufacturer's website, and every approved car seat must include a three-point harness. Consumers are also advised to check for misspellings, poor grammar, or off-center text on any labeling, which can indicate a fake.
Parents who are still unsure about a seat's authenticity can contact the manufacturer directly with the serial number for verification.
To avoid falling victim to counterfeit sales in the first place, AAA Northeast recommends purchasing directly from manufacturers or through verified retailers. For online purchases, shoppers should ensure the car seat is sold and shipped by a first-party seller, such as Amazon or Walmart, and not from an unverified third party. Listings from third-party sellers should include a U.S.-based customer service number, ideally with an 800 area code.
Consumers are also encouraged to shop in person at reputable stores when possible. AAA strongly advises against buying car seats from online marketplaces like eBay, Temu, Wish, or Alibaba, or from social media advertisements that do not clearly identify the manufacturer or authorized seller.
Used car seats, even those appearing in good condition, pose another risk. AAA urges families to avoid buying from garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist, as there's no way to confirm whether the seat was involved in a crash or if it meets current safety standards.
With child passenger safety on the line, experts say the safest seat is one that's new, verified, and meets all federal requirements. When in doubt, AAA recommends contacting the car seat's manufacturer or speaking with a certified child passenger safety technician.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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