Second-hand seats put kids' lives at risk

Second-hand car seats could be endangering children's lives, Queensland's peak motoring body has warned.

The RACQ says used and hand-me-down child restraints may carry hidden damage and pose serious safety risks.

"While you may not be able to see any visible damage to the restraint, there's no telling whether the integrity has been compromised," the RACQ's Lauren Ritchie said.

"Just the slightest crack or stretching of the straps can put your child's life at risk."

The RACQ says seats have a one-crash life span and must be replaced if they've been involved in an accident.

Parents are also being urged to follow instructions closely when installing seats.