With the rising cost of baby clothes, toys and gadgets, it’s no surprise many parents opt for family hand–me–downs or pre–owned bargains.
But there are some baby items you should never buy second–hand, according to experts.
Although pre–loved products can help save money, there are some that put your little one at risk, specialists from Which? said.
This includes car seats, which almost a quarter of parents admit to buying second–hand.
Though these may look like they’re in good condition, they can have internal damage that isn’t immediately obvious – leaving your child at risk in the case of a crash.
‘If you’re a parent it’s likely you’ve been offered a wide range of freebies and hand–me–downs from friends and family’, Martha Roberts, senior researcher at the consumer champion wrote in a blog.
‘Or, you may have been tempted by pre–loved bargains from online marketplaces.
‘Although second–hand goods can be a great way of saving money and living more sustainably, it’s important to know if these are first–rate or a false economy that’s putting your little one at risk of injury or harm.’
It’s always best to buy a new car seat, experts said, as a pre–owned version may have been dropped or involved in an accident (file image)
1. Car seats
Although it may look like it’s in good condition, a pre–owned car seat could have been dropped or been involved in an accident without your knowledge, Ms Roberts warned.
This could cause internal damage to the seat that isn’t obvious – such as a hairline crack – that can affect the structural integrity and render it incapable of properly protecting your child in a crash.
‘Second–hand car seats could also have wear and tear that could affect safety, such as a harness that is deteriorating from being cleaned with harsh chemicals,’ Ms Roberts explained.
‘Or, they might not comply with the latest child car seat laws and safety regulations.’
Instruction books can also get lost over the years – meaning parents are at risk of fitting and using the seat incorrectly.
Alarmingly, a survey of parents found that 22 per cent have a second-hand car seat.
Meanwhile, a third who disposed of one said they sold it via an online marketplace, donated it or gifted it to a family member.
Cot mattresses can also be a hazard to young children, as if they lose their ‘spring’ they could be a suffocation risk (file image)
2. Cot mattresses
It might not be obvious, but using an old cot mattress could also put your child at risk, the experts said.
‘Research by The Lullaby Trust charity found an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome when using a second-hand mattress from outside the family home,’ Ms Roberts said.
If you do go for one that’s been used before, it’s important to check that it has been protected by a waterproof cover, she advised. This should be cleaned and thoroughly dried before being used.
‘The mattress should be firm and flat, springing back immediately when pressed down or it ‘won’t provide sufficient support and could be a suffocation risk,’ she added.
It should also fit snugly with no gaps between the mattress and side of the cot to prevent arms or legs getting trapped.
Finally, looking for a British Standard (BS) label shows the mattress complies with safety requirements.
This includes a 1877–10:2011+A1:2012 number on labelling or instructions, and ideally BS 7177:1996 and BS EN 16890:2017 + A1:2021 as well, Which? said.
Similar to a car seat, it can be hard to tell if helmets have been involved in an accident previously (file image)
3. Bicycle helmets
‘A second-hand bike helmet may look pristine, but it can be very difficult to tell if there’s internal damage from an accident, being dropped repeatedly or even flung across a room like a rugby ball, which means you could be putting your child’s safety at risk,’ Mr Roberts wrote.
It’s worth buying a new one if you can’t verify its history, and for it to adhere to the standard EN1080, she explained.
It should have a chin strap that can be snapped off to prevent choking or strangulation if the helmet snags – a different requirement from the standard for adult helmets.
It’s worth remembering that your child will need a helmet if they’re cycling independently, riding on the back of your bike or even if they are a passenger in a cargo bike box.
Baby items that ARE safe to use second-hand
Items that are safe to buy pre–loved, as long as they comply with modern standards and have not been damaged in any way, include pushchairs, cots, nursery furniture, stair gates and even reusable nappies.
Ones that might be safe to use – under certain circumstances – include baby slings or carriers, toys, baby clothing, breast pumps and bottles and baby monitors.
Earlier this year, Which? warned that ‘killer’ car seats were still being sold online a decade after they were first identified.
More than a dozen flimsy fabric seats marketed as safe for young children have been seen on popular websites including eBay, Little Dreams, ManoMano, Shein and Wish.
These seats, which cost as little as £12.50, contain ‘fundamental flaws’ that put children’s lives at risk.
Which? first exposed the sale of these car seats 10 years ago and the listings were taken down at the time.
But more have now been spotted on well–known online marketplaces – with experts warning they would offer a child ‘no protection in the event of a crash’.
