STATESBORO, Ga. () — The arrival of a newborn brings excitement, joy, and an increase in expenses. One essential purchase that cannot be compromised by opting for cheaper alternatives is your baby’s first car seat.

The Statesboro Police Department (SPD) recently shared a public safety announcement on their Facebook page, advising parents against buying car seats from Shein, TEMU, or similar discount websites.

“These seats do not meet U.S. federal safety standards and have not passed required crash testing,” the post reads.

Given the complex and sometimes daunting guidelines surrounding car seats, it’s crucial to ensure you are making the correct choice before finalizing your purchase. Here’s a concise guide to assist you:

1. Check for NHTSA rating: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the entity in charge of testing car seats and gives them a score from one to five. The higher the score, the better.
2. Easy installation is a must: Will grandma be able to install it in her car? Make sure that your new car seat is easy to install and won’t be a headache in the future.
3. Portability: Experienced parents know that a portable car seat is a must. Think about those rainy days when you have to go from the car to daycare. A portable car seat will make your life easier.
4. Car-seat life: Though cost-effective, there are a few things that could go wrong when purchasing a second-hand car seat. Outdated safety standards, unknown history, finding damaged parts are only a few to consider.
5. Longevity: Are you hoping to have more children? If you do, you might want to find a car seat that can take multiple rounds until its expiry date. Check with the manufacturer.

SPD also recommends only buying car seats from trusted brands that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213 safety standards in the United States.

If you have purchased a car seat and you are not sure whether it is safe or not, contact a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) for guidance and always remember: Safety first.