A Parent’s Guide To Second-Hand Cribs

Second-hand cribs: smart shopping or hidden danger?

Babies require a lot of stuff. Strollers, car seats, and cribs can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Many parents rely on yard sales and hand-me-downs to get the gear they need. But used baby gear can be dangerous. Since 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled more than 11 million cribs.
Our Dallas lawyers recommend purchasing a new crib when possible. However, we realize that this isn’t always possible. In this article, our product liability attorneys discuss how to tell when a second-hand crib should not be used
A used crib should not be used if:

• There are broken, damaged, or missing parts.
• The wood is splintering or damaged.
• There is cracked or peeling paint.
• Slats are more than 2 3⁄8 inches apart. Wider slats can trap a child’s head resulting in death.
• There are decorative cutouts on the panel that can trap a child’s head.
• There are corner posts that can catch clothing or ribbons and strangle the infant.
• The crib sides are less than 26 inches above the mattress support in the lowest position.
• The crib has a drop side.
• You can fit more than two fingers between the crib and the mattress. Children can get trapped between the mattress and the crib.

On June 28, 2011, the government enacted new safety standards for cribs. These standards ban the   manufacture and sale of drop-side rail cribs and require cribs to be built with stronger parts and hardware. Older cribs may not meet these standards.
If you are considering reusing or purchasing a crib that was made before June 28, 2011, you should first check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission crib recall website to see the crib has been recalled. If the crib you would like to use is on the list of recalled cribs, you will need to contact the manufacturer to request a free repair kit. Do not use the crib until it has been repaired.
If the crib is not on the recall list, but has a drop-side, you should check with the manufacturer to see if they offer a kit to keep the drop side from moving. If you cannot get a repair kit, do not use the crib.
Once you have repaired a recalled crib, you should check all hardware frequently to make sure the installation is tight and no parts are broken or missing.
If your child was injured by a defective or recalled crib, stop using the crib and contact a Dallas product liability lawyer immediately. Do not alter the crib in any way. You may have a Texas product liability claim. To learn more, contact Rasansky Law Firm at (214) 651-6100. The initial consultation is free.