What items are okay for hand-me-downs?

My brother just called and offered their carseat, crib and stroller. I have no problems with hand-me-downs, but I am concerened with safety. We thought we heard not take used carseats. But is it just not to get them from strangers because you don't know if they've been in an accident? TIA!!!!!!!!!

Re: What items are okay for hand-me-downs?

Car Seats are OK as long as you know that the seat hasnt been involved in a car accident.

Crib is fine as long as it meets today's standards..I think that is any crib manufactured within the past 20 something years..

Just check the make, model, and production dates and make sure that nothing has been recalled...

Re: What items are okay for hand-me-downs?

My son is the hand-me down king since I have two nephews slightly older then him with really great stuff. I do however have new carseats, I worry about that. My crib is 11 yrs old and been used by 3 children, soon to be 4. It meets todays standards. These things come and go so quick, if you have an opportunity for something good quality why not take it.

Re: What items are okay for hand-me-downs?

Re: What items are okay for hand-me-downs?

Oooo, I love hand me downs. People can be so generous and I plan on keeping my stuff to hand down as well.

I would totally take the crib and the stroller, but the car seat I may only take as an extra. They are constantly changing car seat safety regulations and even if it is only two years old, it may be outdated.

Re: What items are okay for hand-me-downs?

I have read not to take any used items such as cribs, walkers or car seats EVER. Especially if they are a few years old...safety standards have changed so much and these items just don't pass muster.

Re: What items are okay for hand-me-downs?

I read to be careful taking a hand-me-down crib in case there are missing parts. If the crib is assembled incorrectly, then it could cause a safety hazard. However, if you have the instructions or can obtain them from the manufacturer's website, you should be fine. (I'm pretty sure I read this in Baby Bargains.)

Re: What items are okay for hand-me-downs?

Any cribs manufactured before 2000 may not meet current safety standards....

Re: What items are okay for hand-me-downs?

Re: What items are okay for hand-me-downs?

Re: What items are okay for hand-me-downs?

my SIL offered us a lot, we decided against the baby carrier and car seat bases (even, though they were the snugride they were over 3 years old) since i put a new stroller system on my registry, but am taking the breast pump (she hardly used it, ended up bottle feeding and got all new parts for me), a co-sleeper, rocker, etc
The bigger stuff like cribs and carseats i wouldnt take IMO its better to get new stuff you never know whats been recalled or if its been in an accident. or maybe her child jumped a lot in the crib, whatever, you just never know even if its family
the same SIL who is giving me stuff uses a crib, toddler bed, covertible carseats she got at garage sales, i would NEVER buy that stuff at a garage sale, but she wanted to save $$, my childs safety is more improtant
I did accept a stroller from a women at work (as a back up b/c its the same as the one of my registry)

Re: What items are okay for hand-me-downs?

I've handed both my crib & carseat down BUT I checked that the safety standards were the same, checked for recalls & had every single part to the crib. All were in a few years old.

If you're not up to checking on the history of something, then go for new.

Re: What items are okay for hand-me-downs?

car seats are fine as long as they are less than 6 years old and have never been in an accident.

Cribs...again, the openings between slats should be NO wider than a soda can. It's the age of the crib...older ones are just not safe. Maybe you could just buy a new mattress

STrollers....up to you....check out the wear and tear on the seat, fabric, and wheels. Try to find a model number and see if replacment parts are available (like if the stroller is in great shape, but the wheels look worn, you can replace the wheels.)