With the economy still in the dumpster and job loss at a record high, it’s no surprise that parents across the country are doing whatever they can to pinch pennies. In addition to cutting back on family vacations, dining out and throwing mega-parties for their kids, a new survey found that an increasing number of moms and dads are shopping at consignment stores or accepting hand-me-down items from church groups, neighbors and friends.
Recycling gently used children’s gear is a great way to save money; however, experts warn that not all hand-me-downs are safe, and they are warning parents to carefully examine each item before bringing it home.
Consumer experts have compiled a list of items that you are better off buying new, inclduing:
Bath Items: Baby bathtubs are fine to accept if they don’t show signs of mold or mildew. However, if the tub has a strong odor, it’s best to gratefully decline it. Also, don’t buy secondhand bath seats, bath rings, and inflatable tubs since they are generally unsafe to begin with.
Car Seats: According to experts, you should never purchase a car seat from a consignment store even if it contains all of its original parts and labels. The reason is that you can never tell with 100 percent certainty that the seat hasn’t been in a crash. What’s more, car seats that are more than five years old are usually outdated and buying one can compromise your child’s safety.
Cribs: Any crib manufactured after the year 2000 should be fine, as long as it is not broken or missing any pieces, according to experts. However, regardless of age, any crib with cutouts in the headboard, and corner posts over 16 inches pose serious risks for a child’s safety, and should not used.
High Chairs: Before saying yes to a used high chair, check to see that it has a five-point harness. This is needed to prevent your child from climbing out. You also want to make sure that the high chair comes with a fixed crotch post that prevents children from sliding out the bottom. Never accept or buy old fashioned wooden high chairs with removable trays or arms. Consumer experts say the chairs are considered dangerous and are not up to newer product safety standards.
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