Nov
18
2008
Thrift Store Safety Checklist
Author: JoshIf you buy at thrift stores, here are some tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to help you make safer purchases:
Cribs
— Make sure cribs meet national safety standards and are in good condition. Check that crib slats are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Crib mattresses should fit snugly.
If crib slats are too far apart, infants can slip between them and strangle. If the mattress doesn’t fit snugly, infants can become entrapped and suffocate.
Clothing drawstrings
— Be sure there are no drawstrings around the hood and neck of children’s upper outerwear clothing, such as sweatshirts. Other types of clothing fasteners, such as snaps, zippers, or hook and loop fasteners (such as Velcro), should be used. Drawstrings at the waist should not extend more than 3 inches.
Drawstrings can catch on playground and other equipment and can strangle young children.
Playpens and play yards
— Check that playpens and play yards have not been recalled. Recalled products include play yards with protruding hardware or rotating top rails that don?t properly lock into place.
Children can strangle if pacifier strings or clothing become entangled on protruding hardware. Children can be entrapped by folding play yards that collapse.
Car seat carriers
— Check to make sure the infant car seat carrier you are buying has not been recalled at www.recalls.gov. Car seat carrier handle locks on recalled models can unexpectedly release when used as a carrier outside of a car.
Infants can fall forward and strike the ground if the handle disengages.
Accordion-style safety gates
— Do not buy older accordion-style child safety gates. Make sure that newer-style child safety gates are used to keep children away from potentially dangerous areas, especially stairs.
Older child safety gates that do not meet current safety standards can present strangulation and other hazards to young children.
For information about hazardous products, contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (800) 638-2772 or www.cpsc.gov
If you want to be notified when our Guide to the Best Baby Bargains is available please send an email to josh@mommydaddysavers.com
