| Second Hand Equipment (see also Baby Clothing, Car Seats and Seatbelts, Equipment for Babies and Toddlers, Toy Safety) Check all second hand equipment for wear and tear before you use it. Don't buy unless the instructions are provided as these can contain vital information about the product’s use or maintenance. When looking at prams and pushchairs check for stiffness which could indicate a distorted frame. Modern products have two separate locking devices to stop the equipment folding accidentally. If these don’t lock properly, your child could be injured. Worn bearings cause the wheels to wobble and these are expensive to replace. Brakes on a new model have to conform to stringent regulations, but over a period of time they become less effective. It is better to buy a cheaper car seat with fewer features than a second hand one. A second hand seat may not have the instructions and these are vital if you are going to use the seat correctly. Many second hand seats have been involved in an accident. They may look undamaged but the stress of the accident can use microscopic fractures in the structure and the seat may not protect in a second accident. Car seats are always being improved and a new seat could offer better protection. If a second-hand cot has damaged or missing components, cracked or split wood, it could become unstable and dangerous. Cots that have been dismantled and stored can sometimes be weak at the joints. Make sure that the cot is rigid and that all joints are solid. If it has been repainted, the paint could contain lead or other substances that may be harmful to your baby. For reasons of hygiene, it is always better to buy a new mattress. It should be the correct size for the cot: there should be no more than 4cm between the mattress and cot. If the cot is made to the latest British Standard, it will have the correct mattress size marked somewhere Second hand highchairs often appear difficult to clean because food has found its way into tiny crevices and has discoloured. Use new feeding bottles and new weaning spoons. For further information contact: www.childalert.co.uk does not take responsibility or liability for any loss damage costs claim or expense arising as a result of relying on information contained on this web site. The advice given is based on recommendations from independent experts. |