Safe Kids Wausau area is providing a way for parents and caregivers to get rid of old car seats, free of charge.
On April 20, Safe Kids Wausau Area is holding a Car Seat Recycling Day from 9 a.m.-noon at the Marathon Park Judging Pavilion. Car seats that are older than six years, purchased at a garage sale or thrift store, or involved in a crash will be collected and dismantled to be recycled and disposed of properly.
All car seats have an expiration date that can be found on the manufacturer’s label. If there is not an exact expiration date listed, a general rule is six years from the manufacture date. Seats used after their expiration date may not be safe or hold up in a crash.
Car seats purchased second-hand are dangerous as well. The history of the car seat is unknown and may have been involved in a crash or recalled.
Car Seat Recycling Day is sponsored by AAA®, Advanced Disposal, Safe Kids Wisconsin, and Wausau and Marathon County Parks Department.
Aspirus Wausau Hospital is the lead organization for Safe Kids Wausau Area, which works to prevent accidental injuries among children 14 years of age and younger as a coalition of Safe Kids Wisconsin, a member of Safe Kids Worldwide. Safe Kids Wausau Area holds monthly car seat check events and an annual water safety event called “Splash into Safety.” For more information on the monthly car seat checks, go online to aspirus.org/safekids.