Guide to buying secondhand cots, cribs, cotbeds and travel cots Purchasing a pre-loved cot, crib, cotbed or travel cot? Here's the safety checks and vital advice you need to know... A cot is one of the most essential – and exciting – purchases you’ll make for your baby. But it can also be expensive. Thankfully, most cots are built to last, so this is one area where you can make serious savings by buying secondhand or accepting a pre-loved cot from friends or family. There are just a few key points to bear in mind when making a secondhand purchase, to ensure your baby slumbers safely.It’s best to view an item in person before committing to buy, so bear this in mind if you’re shopping online. Does it come with secondhand mattress? If a mattress is included, you should toss it out. No matter how new the seller says it is, or how clean it appears, you’ll need to buy a new mattress for the cot. This is in keeping with research from the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) that suggests the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS or ‘cot death’) is greater with a used mattress.
So remember to factor the cost of a new mattress into your purchase. We’ve got info on why you shouldn’t buy secondhand mattresses.It’s vital your new mattress fits the cot well, leaving no gaps around the edges, so take measurements and make sure the right sized mattress is available, especially if it looks like an unusual shaped or sized cot. Head to our step-by-step buyer’s guide for help on finding the right new mattress. How do you check that it’s safe? Look for the British Standards Institution (BSI) number BSEN716:2008 marked somewhere on the cot. If there’s no BSI number (not all cots carry them), check that the cot bars are secure and not more than 45mm to 65mm apart and the distance between the top of the mattress and the cot rail (when the mattress is in its highest position, if it’s adjustable) does not exceed 50cm.Ask how old the cot is, and if it’s been repainted. Until the mid-1960s, lead was used in some paint, which is toxic. If you’re not sure when the cot was painted, it’s best to say no – or strip the cot fully and repaint it yourself.
To find out how to remove lead paint safely, Directgov has info.Look at the general condition of the cot. Ask yourself these questions: Are there any sharp edges or pieces that stick out that your baby could catch themselves on? Is the paint flaking or the wood splintering anywhere? Run your hands over the frame – does it feel smooth and well made? Are the bars secure? Give it a wobble – does it seem sturdy and all the joints sound? Are there cut-outs or ledges in the sides that an adventurous child could use to step on and climb out? If there are any transfers or stickers on the insides of the cot, you'll need to remove them, as they may pose a choking hazard if peeled off.Although teething rails can be replaced it can be tricky to find the right size, so check the existing one is intact and in good condition. What’s all the fuss about drop-sided cot safety? If the cot has drop sides, take extra care to check the catches are secure and can’t work themselves loose so the sides detach.
This style of cot looks set to be outlawed in the USA due to safety concerns. Although no such problems have been reported in the UK, it’s still vital to check the drop-side mechanism is sound. What about recalled products? Occasionally, manufacturers recall items that were found to be faulty. It’s worth checking if the cot appears on the Product Recall list on the Trading Standards website. You can also check Recalled Products and UKRecallNotice. What should you know when buying a secondhand travel cot? If buying a secondhand travel cot, check it assembles and folds down properly and is structurally sound. The seller should be able to give you the original instruction booklet, or check if the instructions can be downloaded from the internet. Look for BSI number BSEN716:1 2008. Although you’ll use the mattress much less than your usual cot, it’s still worth purchasing a new travel cot mattress. More cot buying advice If you're after more help on what to look for when buying a bed for your baby, head to our step-by-step buyer's guides on cots and cotbeds as well as travel cots.
We also look at whether a cot or cotbed would work best for you and your baby, and whether you need a Moses basket or crib.Whether you’re trying to save money or be less wasteful in general, shopping at secondhand stores, garage sales, and flea markets is a good strategy. Not only do you get to save an item from the landfill, but you can usually pay a fraction of the retail cost. Of course, some items work better than others when it comes to a second life. Used gym equipment, tables, and dishes make great secondhand buys, for example. Not only can you clean them up easily, but a quick wash can leave them in “like new” condition. Likewise, used clothing can also be an excellent value. After paying pennies on the dollar for your new shirt or skirt, all you need to is throw it in the washer. But some items aren’t meant to be bought, used, and resold. Sometimes there’s a safety issue or hazard, other times it’s the unknown that poses the greatest risk. Here are 10 items you should never buy used unless you understand the risks:
After multiple baby and toddler deaths, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned drop side cribs in 2011. Meanwhile, many other crib bans and safety recalls have taken place due to hazards such as lead paint, strangulation, or other dangers. If you’re unsure of whether a used crib has been recalled, you can conduct some research on your own at CPSC.gov. Although used car seats can be bought for pennies on the dollar, that doesn’t always make them a good value. Not only do car seats have an expiration date or “shelf life” you should pay attention to, but there is often no way to know if a car seat has been damaged or compromised. The fact that safety technology improves every year is another reason to just buy new if you’re in doubt. If you do choose to buy used, you should at least buy from someone you know who can verify that seat has never been involved in an accident. Good mattresses are very expensive, so buying one used might seem like a good deal, but it rarely is.
Although you’ll save a bundle upfront, a used mattress will almost always have bodily fluids, dust mites, and pounds of dead skin embedded deep in the fabric. Even worse, a mattress infested with bed bugs could easily cost you thousands of dollars in extermination fees. The Environmental Protection Agency lists some telltale signs you can list for when checking for bed bugs, but they certainly aren’t foolproof. While it’s generally okay to buy unopened makeup from an individual, you should never buy makeup that has been used in any capacity. Because used makeup harbors all kinds of bacteria that you don’t want near your ears, eyes, and mouth. Have you ever heard of someone unloading a vacuum that still works great? Most people sell their vacuums and get a new one when their old one stops doing its job. Plus, you never know what that vacuum was used for, and how many dust mites and bacteria are lurking inside. If you’re looking to save money on a vacuum cleaner, try a factory refurbished or reconditioned model or check the scratch-and-dent section.
Although it might be fine to purchase lightly worn used footwear, experts warn against buying used shoes that have been worn on a regular basis. Since shoes mold to their owner’s feet, a heavily used pair could cause you pain or even health problems over time. While “newer” used bottles might be fine after you sanitize them, experts caution against stocking up on bottles that are more than a few years old. Because many older bottles contain BPA – a chemical that was banned for use in baby bottles by the FDA in 2012. If you’re unsure whether a used bottle is BPA-free, you’re better off buying new. While sturdy pots and pans may be an exception, you should never buy a piece of cookware with a flaky or worn non-stick coating. The chemicals contained in non-stick coatings such as Teflon can leech out into your food while you’re cooking. In other words, the savings you earn by buying used cookware might come with a side of unsavory chemicals and potential carcinogens.
Similar to used mattresses, used furniture is often home to dust mites, bacteria, and even bed bugs. And since you can’t throw a used sofa in the washer, you may never get it 100% clean. The bottom line: Only buy upholstered furniture from someone whose cleanliness you trust – not from strangers! Although used hats can cost pennies on the dollar compared to new, that doesn’t make them a good bargain. The fact is, used hats may have never been washed – and may even be impossible to wash. Therefore, a used hat will usually contain someone’s hair, dead skin, and sweat — not to mention the potential for head lice. If you’re shopping secondhand to save, you’re definitely on the right track. Still, there are times when buying used presents a huge hazard or risk that makes the savings a moot point. The next time you’re shopping for a secondhand item, ask yourself these questions: If you answer “no” to any of these questions, you’re probably better off sucking it up and buying new.