What products should you buy new?
Of course you really don't need to buy everything new, but here are the items which are important and NOT worth taking a gamble on:
Car seats and restraints We all want to make sure our seat belts work well, and the same goes for our children's car seats, booster seats and other restraints. The safety standard for car seats is ECE R44.04.
Pushchairs Again, these move along, at speed, and you need to know that the wheels aren't going to come off when you're crossing a road, that the safety harness is secure, and that there are no small folding mechanisms that could harm your child's curious fingers. The safety standard for pushchairs, buggies etc is BS 7409 1996 and/or BS EN 1888.
Cots Safety when your child is sleeping is one of the biggest concerns of new parents. The safety standard is BS EN716.
Mattresses As with cots, a good clean mattress that fits the cot well and is well-aired, is vital. The safety standard for mattresses is BS 1877.
Barriers and stairgates Gates and bed bumpers are, in themselves, that ultimate protection from what is on the other side from your child: steep stairs, a drop to the floor, a fireplace etc. Fitting this badly can lead to your child falling and seriously hurting himself. The safety standard for safety gates and barriers is BS EN 1930.
Highchairs and feeding chairs Hygiene and your child being safe whilst sitting high up, are very important here. The safety standard for high chairs is BS 5799 or BS EN 1178.
Other items of concern
Additionally, any toy or piece of nursery furniture that moves around should be carefully examined before using secondhand. These include sleeping bags, any cot (travel cots, Moses baskets, cribs etc), items like bouncy chairs, and other toys which may be sharp or have small pieces that can be choked on, due to being broken or worn out.
For more information and advice, visit the website of the Baby Products Association.
For more about safe car travel, check out www.carseats.org.uk.
