
09/24/2025
At Dayton Children’s, keeping kids safe is always a priority—sometimes in ways families might not expect. 💺💙
During a triage check in our South Campus emergency department, Stacey, a nurse with a passion for car seat safety, noticed something wasn’t right. A baby arrived in a seat that was missing a chest clip—a critical piece of the harness.
With the help of charge nurse Brittany and our car seat safety experts, they discovered the seat was actually a counterfeit car seat being sold online as a stroller/seat combo. Thanks to their quick action, the family went home with a safe, compliant car seat.
💬 “Families come to the emergency department stressed and scared. But when we take the time to listen, explain, and help—it changes everything,” says Brittany.
Counterfeit car seats are showing up everywhere—even families who shop carefully can end up with one without realizing it.
Here are 3 ways to spot a fake and keep your kids safe plus how to book a free car seat check!
⚠️ Check the label — Every U.S. car seat must have a safety certification label with “FMVSS 213” on it. It should also list the brand name, model number, and date of manufacture. If the label is missing, hard to read, or looks poorly printed, that’s a red flag!
⚠️ Read the instructions — Authentic car seats will have clear manuals and real brand logos. Counterfeit seats often have blurry text or spelling mistakes.
⚠️ Inspect the straps — Buckles should click tight, stitching should be strong, and a chest clip should always be included!
👉 Still not sure about your car seat? Our certified technicians can help! Book a free car seat check this month and keep your little one safe: https://bit.ly/4peiJaY