GRINNELL — An uptick in counterfeit car seats in Iowa has prompted UnityPoint Health — Grinnell to warn parents against using fake and potentially hazardous car seats.

Counterfeit car seats pose a significant threat to the safety of children and infants, said UnityPoint in a news release. They often lack safety features and fail to meet industry standards.

Parents should check for certification labels in car seats. Look for labels that indicate compliance with safety standards. Are there misspellings or grammatical errors?

Parents should verify manufacturer information. Legitimate car seats are manufactured by reputable companies that adhere to strict safety standards.

Always purchase car seats from authorized dealers or the official website of the manufacturer, UnityPoint said. Make sure the brand, serial number, customer service number and an expiration date are listed on the car seat.

Nearly every car seat approved for use on the U.S. market has a chest clip except for car beds and boosters. U.S. Safety Standards require harness straps to be 1.5 inches wide.

Consumers should buy car seats only from authorized retailers, reputable stores or the official websites of well-known manufacturers and should avoid purchasing car seats from garage sales or secondhand places.

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If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Counterfeit car seats are often priced significantly lower than genuine products.

Parents may call Grinnell Regional Medical Center’s obstetrics department at 641-236-2324 if they have questions about car seats, UnityPoint said.