A warning about car seats after a crash

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — After a crash, your child’s car seat could be hiding serious damage—even if it looks fine and wasn’t being used at the time. That’s the reminder from the Georgetown Police Department as families hit the road this back-to-school season.

According to federal safety guidelines, car seats should always be replaced after a moderate or severe crash. In some cases, you may not need to replace it after a minor crash, but only if all of the following are true:

• The vehicle could be driven away from the scene
• No one was injured in the crash
• Airbags did not deploy
• The car seat shows no visible damage

When in doubt, check the car seat manual or contact the manufacturer directly. And never reuse a car seat that’s been involved in a serious accident.

Georgetown Police say staying informed helps keep children safe on the road.