While shopping garage sales may render deals, some items are not recommended for purchase second hand, including child car safety seats. Katrina Altenhofen, State Program Director for the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program, tells KCII News that child safety seats and many child products shouldn’t be purchased second hand without a complete knowledge of the history of the item.

She adds, the seller of the product could be liable for problems that happen, and this is why many national resale shops no longer sell child safety seats. Altenhofen recommends buyers ask owners before purchasing if a car seat was in use during an accident, if the seat has all of its working parts, are there any recalls on it, and did the owner fill out the warranty tag for it. A car seat used in a car accident should not be used again.

In addition, car seats do expire, generally after six years. Altenhofen does add a hand-me-down safety seat from a family member is generally safe because the history of the seat is known. For more information listen to today’s Washington Page.