Aug 1, 2013 2 min read

If your child’s car seat was a hand-me-down or a flea market snag, it might be wise to check the expiration date on the tag. That is because used and outdated car seats can be unsafe, according to AAA.

As part of an ongoing partnership with McDonald’s, AAA will be “rounding up” used car seats and booster seats at the restaurant at 235 Meadowlands Boulevard, North Strabane Township, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.. today. For each seat received, donors will be awarded a coupon for a free Egg McMuffin, Sausage McMuffin or Quarter Pounder.

Terri Rae Anthony, AAA safety advisor and certified child passenger safety technician, has been helping to organize the “AAA Child Safety Seat Round Up” events. She said parents should always check the date of manufacture before letting their child sit in a car seat, because they tend to only last about six years.

Anthony said parents should also be wary of purchasing car seats at yard sales or flea markets. If a seat was involved in a previous car crash, it might have parts missing and be unsafe to use.

“If you don’t know the history of the seat, you really shouldn’t use it,” Anthony said.