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MONDAY, Could 15, 2023 (HealthDay Information) – Child gear is expensive, so many dad and mom purchase it used, however they’re not at all times certain whether or not it’s nonetheless protected, a nationwide ballot reveals.
About half of the 932 dad and mom surveyed in February mentioned they’d used pre-owned gear for his or her child, most frequently cribs and excessive chairs, based on a College of Michigan Well being C.S. Mott Youngsters’s Hospital ballot launched Could 15.
But, 2 in 3 mentioned it was exhausting to inform if the gear was protected.
“Used youngster necessities are sometimes more cost effective, environmentally pleasant and handy,” mentioned ballot co-director Sarah Clark. “Nonetheless, many dad and mom in our ballot weren’t fully assured they may determine security issues, similar to unsafe put on and tear, remembers or hygiene points.”
About half mentioned they had been solely comfy with used gear from household or shut pals. Rather less than half had been additionally OK with objects purchased at resale retailers and yard gross sales.
Out of doors play buildings, strollers, playpens and bathtub seats had been amongst different objects most frequently buy.
Mother and father had been least prone to report utilizing secondhand toddler automobile seats or booster seats.
“No matter whether or not they obtain the merchandise from somebody they know nicely or from a storage sale, dad and mom ought to take diligent steps to ensure the gear meets present security requirements and is protected for his or her youngster,” Clark mentioned in a college information launch.
She famous that security laws are continually evolving as analysis identifies options that pose a danger.
“That is significantly vital in relation to cribs, some of the widespread sorts of pre-owned gear,” Clark mentioned. “It’s probably that some dad and mom utilizing pre-owned cribs might not be conscious of how security requirements have modified.”
Whereas most respondents mentioned they had been very prone to search for indicators of harm and to scrub the gear, half had been as prone to search the web for set-up and use directions or for product remembers.
“If dad and mom don’t correctly observe meeting directions, cribs, strollers and play units can collapse or malfunction, doubtlessly inflicting critical accidents to the kid,” Clark mentioned.
Earlier than letting a baby use a pre-owned merchandise, it’s vital to verify for product remembers, which imply a producer has requested clients to return or cease utilizing the product as a consequence of a security hazard, she added.
About 4% of oldsters mentioned they weren’t comfy utilizing any pre-owned gear. Three-quarters mentioned they like to purchase new.
However finances issues generally is a barrier. About 58% of these with family incomes underneath $100,000 mentioned they had been extra prone to have used pre-owned gear.
Most dad and mom mentioned they’d donated or offered youngster well being and security gear. About 74% mentioned the gear went to a member of the family or buddy; 52% donated it to a charitable group; and 35% offered it at a storage sale. About 19% mentioned they’d by no means shared or offered pre-owned gear.
“Earlier than passing on an merchandise to a different household, dad and mom ought to guarantee it’s protected and in good working order,” Clark mentioned. “If not, dad and mom ought to get rid of the gear to keep away from risking damage of one other youngster.”
The nationwide ballot of oldsters with at the very least one youngster 7 years or youthful was carried out in February.
Extra data
Shoppers Union has data on harmful child gear to keep away from.
SOURCE: Michigan Drugs, information launch, Could 15, 2023
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