What should be done with a child safety seat after any moderate or severe crash?

Replacing a child safety seat following any moderate or severe crash is essential for ensuring the continued safety of the child. In the event of a crash, even if the seat appears undamaged on the outside, the internal components may have experienced stresses that compromise the seat’s integrity and effectiveness in protecting a child during subsequent incidents.

Manufacturers provide guidelines that recommend replacing these seats after any significant impact to ensure that they can adequately perform their protective role. This practice aligns with safety standards designed to prioritize children’s safety, as the risk of unseen damage can lead to a failure of the seat in a future accident. Thus, replacing the seat is the best course of action to maintain safety standards regardless of visible indications of damage.