Should You Say "No Thanks" to Secondhand Baby Items?
The cost of buying all the gear you need for babies can add up quickly. With the tight budgets many parents have today, you may be tempted to save money by borrowing baby items from a friend or relative or buying them from a yard sale or secondhand store. Before you do, make sure you know some of the risks.
Sharon Rau, a safety expert with St. Louis Children’s Hospital, offers suggestions on what to look for in used baby items.
Car seats. There’s no wiggle room in Rau’s advice on this item: Car seats (and booster seats) should always be purchased new, never used.
“Used car seats are our biggest safety concern,” she says. “You can’t trace a complete history of a used car seat. A crash or fender bender can damage the integrity of the seat even if you can’t see it from the outside. The seat also may have been recalled.”
She says no matter what the seat’s history, the life expectancy of a car seat is only six years.
“Exposure to hot and cold temperatures in your car weakens the plastic and compromises the integrity of the car seat overall,” she says. “Buy a new car seat to best protect your baby.”
Cribs. Many parents save their cribs for sentimental value to pass on to their children. But many older cribs are unsafe. Generally, only cribs made after 1992 meet current safety standards. Rau recommends making sure slats are no more than 2-3/8 inches apart (about the width of a soda can). Also, check cribs for lead-based paint, which is a risk in older cribs, and check with the manufacturer for any recalls on the crib.
Crib mattresses are another issue.
“Mattresses in older cribs may not fit as tightly as they do in newer cribs, which can be dangerous because babies could get wedged between the mattress and crib edges,” Rau says.
Strollers. Secondhand strollers must be in good condition to be safe. Look over the stroller carefully to make sure the brakes work, safety straps are in place and functioning, and that there are no sharp edges or pinch points. Fold and unfold it and check for stability. Newer models have anti-tip features. Again, check to see if the item has been recalled.
Slings. While slings to carry babies are widely available, their usage is a concern.
“Parents have to be very careful using slings—new or used,” Rau says. “Because of a sling’s soft fabric material, positioning a baby can be tricky. A baby may become pressed against the parent’s body, or the head may be tucked in a way that makes it difficult for the baby to breathe well. Baby slings are a gray area. Right now, they’re not banned, but we don’t recommend them. If you do use them, you have to be very aware of your baby at all times.”
In addition, she advises against using homemade slings of any kind because they’re not regulated.
High chairs. When choosing a secondhand high chair, Rau says it’s important to check its stability and ensure the tray and straps are secure. Older models may not be tip-proof. Also check for any sharp corners or hardware. If it’s painted, verify that the paint is not lead-based and that no paint is chipping.
Clothes. Parents don’t need to worry about germs on clothes once they’re washed, Rau says.
“It’s more about how the clothes are made that can be a concern,” she says.
Avoid any jackets or hoodies with drawstrings. Also, realize clothing that may have been flame retardant when it was new, such as pajamas, probably won’t be flame retardant any more due to repeated washings.
Overall, when in doubt about the safety of a used item, purchase new instead.
“Also make sure you fill out the registration card on each item you buy so the manufacturer can immediately notify you of any recalls,” Rau advises.
How to Check for Recalls
Rau recommends parents check for recalls on any secondhand item. To do this, go to the manufacturer’s website and look for the item’s model number. However, Rau cautions that some recall lists expire and may no longer be on a manufacturer’s website. Another option is to visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website at http://www.cpsc.gov/ and click on “Recalls and Product Safety News.”
Visit our YouTube channel to see a video about purchasing secondhand baby items.
