Yard Sale Dangers
Cedar Rapids
KWWL.com
Monday, October 30, 2006
Read from the Source
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When it comes to baby cribs and car seats, buying "used" could put your child at
risk. Chris Johnson sells second-hand stuff for new parents and their babies.
She says lots of new parents are looking for good deals. But buying used could
mean you're buying an unsafe, recalled item. That's why her store carefully
checks each one, to make sure it won't put your baby at risk. "We don't want to
take anything that we wouldn't allow in our own houses."
Jessica Danilson says she didn't want to take a chance on buying a used crib or
car seat for her new son Kyle. "I think just safety issues mostly when
something is second hand, you don't really know how it's been used or if it's
been damaged...or just what kind of use it got."
Nurse Andi Quinn says it's up to parents to make sure their new purchases are
safe. Quinn says when buying used car seats...check the expiration date. Also
make sure it hasn't been in a car accident. If you're buying a used crib avoid
painted items and rough edges. Quinn says each baby should get a new mattress.
"There's an easy way to tell if the slats on the crib are too far apart. Take a
can of pop. Put it through the crib and if it fits, the crib is unsafe for your
baby. Also make sure all the hardware on the bed is secure."
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Even new cribs can be dangerous for baby. Take the Aspen Three-In-One Crib with
the Graco Logo. It was last sold in 2005 and was recalled after the mattress
support slats came out and suffocated a baby.
Make sure even a new looking crib
hasn't been recalled When it comes to clothing, check for strings, they could
cause strangulation. Also some safety features on used clothing may have washed
away. "Many times at garage sales with younger children and babies they've'
been washed so many times you've destroyed that flame retardant," says Quinn.
Checking product recalls can save your baby's life. These bathrobes sold brand
new at ross stores were recalled because they failed to meet the children's
sleepwear flammability standard. Whether you buy new or used, the safest choice
can only be made after you do your research and check for recalls.
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