If you can't afford to purchase a safety seat for your child, there is help available: Federal grant programs provide child safety seats to many states. Check with your local SAFE KIDS coalition or state Department of Transportation. They can direct you to local programs that may provide a free or reduced cost seat when attending an educational class or car seat check. Remember, all child safety seats meet the same Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. You do not need to purchase the most expensive seat on the market. Many seats can be purchased at a discount through retailers. Make sure not to use a second hand seat unless all of the following statements are true: The seat has never been involved in a moderate to severe crash. The seat has labels with the date of manufacture and model number so you can check for recalls. The seat has no recalls (some recalls can be fixed). The seat is less than six years old, normal use can cause a seat not to work as well. The seat has all of its parts and they work correctly. The seat has an instruction manual.