Babies need all kinds of gear as they grow. Many parents buy used baby products or borrow them from friends in order to save money on the items that will only be used a short period of time.  Are these practices safe?  They can be if you are a smart consumer and are aware of product recalls before you make these purchases or borrow items.

Some of the most popular used baby gear products are cribs, high chairs, strollers, baby carriers, baby swings, play yards and of course car seats.  These items tend to be quite expensive, and purchasing them used allows parents to spread their funds further.  First and foremost, we want your baby to be safe.   Protect your baby by being a smart consumer and following the tips below.

Tip #1: Visual Check

Look the item all over checking for visible damage, broken or missing parts.  Pick up the item, turn it over, look closely, and if the item is unassembled, have the seller assemble it to make sure all the parts are present.  If you find any damage, do not purchase the item.  Check for the manufacturer’s tag, as this will have the model number for future reference.

Tip #2: Check for Recalls

If the product passes the visual check, now you should check to see if the product has had any recalls on it.  The U.S. Consumer Safety Commission (CPSC) is a great place to check.  Visit their website at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html .  Use the model number of the product to make sure the used baby product has not been placed on the recall list and that it is safe to use.  Those that sell used baby items may not even realize the product has been placed on the recall list especially if they have not used the product in awhile.

Tip #3: Things to consider

Some baby products need additional safety warnings when getting them used.

Car Seats – Ask the previous owner if the car seat was ever involved in a car accident.  If so, the car seat should be discarded as an accident can place unnoticeable strain on important parts.  In my opinion, unless you know the owner and can trust them, this is one baby gear item I would purchase new.

Cribs – When you are pregnant, you are often offered the family baby crib that everyone in the family has used.  Be very careful, and make sure that the slats are no more than 2 3/8 inches between each other.  I highly recommend taking the model number of a used crib to the CPSC website to double check for any recalls.  The CPSC also has a nice PDF that goes into more details about what to watch for when choosing a used crib.  Get it here: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5030.pdf

Remember, when choosing a used baby product, it is best to err on the side of safety.  Keeping your baby safe is the number one priority of all parents.