If you own the Doona car seat, it is normal for you to want to know how long the car seat is good for. That way, you will know when to stop using it and save your little one from any impending risk.
But the question is, does the Doona car seat expire? Is there a timeframe to use the seat after which it is no longer valid?
We have read of cases where parents claimed they used car seats for as long as possible. Is the case the same with the Doona car seat?
In this article, we shall go through everything that has to do with Doona and its expiration. If it’s true that the Doona car seat expires, why is it so? We shall also look at the implications of using an expired car seat.
Related: Weight and height limits of Doona car seats.
Table of Contents
Do Doona Car Seats Expire?
Yes, the Doona car seat expires! Just like every other car seat, Doona has a useful life period and it is recommended that parents stick to it.
Usually, the Doona car seat is valid and safe to use for 6 years from the date of manufacture. After 6 years, Doona is considered to have expired and not safe for use anymore.
However, if you consider the fact the Doona car seat is meant for use for approximately 12 months per child, a 6-year expiration period is not too bad. At least, you can use Doona for 2 to 3 kids before it expires.
Why Does The Doona Car Seat Expire?
There are different reasons why Doona or any other car seat expires. Below are the reasons:
- Wear and Tear Over Time: The fabrics and materials of the Doona could be subjected to extreme temperatures over time. When this happens, it causes wear and tear, thus, reducing the quality and functionality of the car seat.
- Material Deterioration: It is normal for materials used in making a product to deteriorate over time. The same applies to kids’ car seats, thus, reducing the effectiveness of impact protection.
- Unavailability of Replacement parts: The car seat industry experiences changes all the time, which leads to the production of new and improved car seats. When this happens, the old seats don’t get too much attention anymore, thus, causing replacement parts and accessories to be unavailable.
- Technology Advances: Before Doona is launched for use, crash tests and other essential tests are carried out on the seats. Safety experts have determined how long before these car seats start failing the tests. Your child is likely not to be protected in an expired car seat in the event of a crash.
Recommended: What comes with the Doona car seat?
How Long Long Can I Use The Doona Car Seat Before It Expires?
How long you can use the Doona car seat before it expires depends on when you buy the seat. Typically, a Doona car seat has a useful life of 6 years from the date of manufacture.
Now, having known that Doona has 6 years of useful life from the manufacture date, here’s what you need to know:
- If you buy a Doona car seat 2 years after the manufacturing date, it means that you have about 4 years remaining to use it before it expires.
- Similarly, if you buy a Doona car seat say 3 years after the date of manufacture, you only have 3 years remaining before it expires.
Therefore, going by Doona’s recommendation, to know how long to use the Doona seat before it expires, you need to check the date of manufacture of the seat and the year you are purchasing it. That would help you understand better when to stop using the Doona car seat.
How To Know When Your Doona Expires
To know when your Doona car seat is expired, there is a sticker at the bottom of the seat that indicates the year of manufacture of the car seat. Once the year of manufacture is known, start counting 6 years from the year of manufacture.
Also, if you want to register your Doona car seat with the manufacturer, you will find the serial number on the sticker beneath the car seat.
Registering your Doona car seat with the manufacturer is highly recommended in case of any important announcement from the manufacturer. This is the best way to be alerted in case of any recall.
You might like this: Does the Doona car seat recline?
Can I Extend The Expiration Date Of The Doona Car Seat?
While there may not be any consequence if you use your Doona car seat beyond the 6-year useful life period, Doona recommends that you shouldn’t do that.
I have seen a few people extending their car seat’s useful life period a bit because they believe the car seat is not accidental or no part is missing. However, I don’t think it is the right thing to do.
Moreover, you can only use the Doona car seat for your little one just for about 12 months. Except you are being gifted the car seat maybe 5 years from the date of manufacture, you shouldn’t have any concerns about extending the expiration date.
What To Do With Your Doona Once You Are Done With It?
Once you are done with your Doona car seat, you can either gift it out to a friend, family member, or a charity home. If you like, you may also want to sell it out to parents in need of it.
However, before you decide to sell or gift out your Doona car seat, you must ensure it is in good shape – it is not expired, hasn’t been involved in accidents, has no missing parts, or hasn’t been recalled.
What To Do With An Expired Doona Car Seat?
When your Doona car seat is expired, it means that neither you nor anyone else should use it. At this point, the best thing to do with an expired car seat is to get rid of the seat.
To get rid of an expired Doona car seat, you need to cut the harness and write boldly on the car seat “Expired – Do Not Use”. After that, you can safely dispose of it knowing fully well that no one can make use of it.
Disposing of an expired car seat the right way will save other kids from potential injuries. If a car seat is not well disposed of, it could be picked by another person, thus, putting at risk the life of any child that would use it.
Conclusion – What Are The Implications Of Using An Expired Doona Car Seat?
As a mom who cares so much for her little one, you don’t have to search for the implications of using an expired car seat.
The reason most car seat manufacturers talk about expiration dates is that they care about your child. Manufacturers know kids are delicate and any slight mistake could lead to something fatal.
Therefore, as a parent, you should stick to your car seat’s expiration date and dispose of the car seat when it reaches its useful life. Doing so would save you from any implications that could arise from using an expired car seat.
