Make sure the safety seat is less than 10 years old (preferably less than five) and has never been used in a crash. You can't be sure about the history of a used seat unless you got it from a friend or relative. You will need the detailed instruction booklet (it can be ordered from the manufacturer if it is missing) to check that the seat has all of its parts and to find out how to use it correctly. Check for possible damage, such as cracks in the plastic, frayed straps, stiff buckles, or harness adjusters.
Just like vehicles and other products, a safety seat may be "recalled" because of a defect which could injure your child. Manufacturers are required to fix such problems free of charge. If your seat is recalled, be sure to get it fixed right away. Most problems can be fixed by replacing a part the manufacturer will send you for free.
Sometimes, with an older seat or when the company is out of business, you may need to destroy the safety seat. To make sure it is not picked up by someone and used by another child, break it with a sledgehammer, crush it, or take it completely apart and mark it "not for use as a safety seat" before throwing it away wrapped securely in a heavy trash bag.
If your safety seat is recalled, unless you have another seat, continue using the recalled one while you wait for the repair kit. Using a recalled safety seat is almost always safer than letting your child ride with a safety belt only.
New safety seats come with registration cards. When you buy a new seat, send in the card to register it. Then the manufacturer can then let you know by mail if your child's seat has been recalled. If you have an older seat and the company is still in business, you can get a registration form from the manufacturer, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or SafetyBeltSafe USA.
If you think your safety seat has a problem that could be a safety defect, call the manufacturer, NHTSA, and SafetyBeltSafe USA to report it. Many serious problems are discovered from reports by parents.
To learn whether your safety seat meets all safety requirements and/or whether it has been recalled, go to http://www.carseat.org. This web site will tell you in detail whether your child's safety seat: (1) is a safe product, (2) fits the child, and (3) is correctly adjusted and installed.