The Second-Hand No-Buys That Every Mom Needs To Remember

January 15, 2020

Second-hand thrifting has become something of a mom staple in recent years and most of us can’t get enough of the insane savings on offer. Suddenly, we’re able to stock little wardrobes, toy boxes, and more for less than half the money. And, with many second-hand sellers now online, we don’t even have to leave our homes to do it!

Sadly, though, there are limitations when it comes to what you can and can’t safely thrift for your youngsters. While items like toys and clothes remain a pretty safe thrifting bet, then, this list of second-hand no-goes is fundamental for making sure that your bargain quest doesn’t compromise safety.

# 1 - Car seats



Car seats can be incredibly unsafe if purchased second hand, irrelevant of how much they allow you to keep in the bank. As well as falling short of ever-changing car-safety standards, you’ll have no real way of knowing whether that seat has been in an accident or shunt in the past. As such, you’ll have no clear indication of whether it works until, to put it bluntly, it doesn’t. No matter how many fantastic car seat savings you see online, then, it’s always worth your while to head instead to sites like www.wholovesbabies.com, where you’ll be able to read reviews on brand new models that would serve much better. By doing ample research, you may even find that some savings are possible without the risks inherent if you decided to thrift.

# 2 - Safety gates

Parents didn’t think twice about thrifting safety gates until a few years ago when, as outlined in this article on https://www.nationwidechildrens.org, more children began to receive injuries due to unfit installations. Second-hand options are especially risky here for two main reasons. For one, old gates might not fit with modern safety standards which, while voluntary, are in place for a reason. Equally, second-hand purchases might not be quite the fit you need in your home, leaving potentially unsafe gaps or wobbles that could pose a hazard. By comparison, a brand new gate will be 100% in keeping with standards and can be tailor-purchased according to your home measurements. 

# 3 - Mattresses


While thrifted cribs can work as long as you do your research, mattresses aren’t something you can compromise. For babies especially, a supportive and firm sleep backing is fundamental for healthy bone development. What’s more, bacteria such as mold growing in a mattress that’s over two years old could lead to significant respiratory issues. As such, even parents seeking second-hand cribs should always look into buying new where mattresses are concerned. Even if this leaves some crib bargains out of reach, it’s a step that your child’s health is guaranteed to benefit from.

We highlight these no-go areas not to put you off thrifting, but to steer you in the right direction when you embark on your next purchases. Simply buy these items brand new first, and then start thrifting without letting any residual worries hold you back.

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