Safety Standards for cots and car seats?

[little bean]

Is there a way to find out if a second-hand cot or car seat meets the latest safety ratings? Would they be marked with a certain label or number? Do we need to measure the space between the bars on the cot?

I'd love to get second-hand gear but am afraid it might be dangerous if it doesn't meet the safety standards.

[Bree79]

The relevant standards for these products are:

AS/NZS 2172:2003 - Cots for household use (this standard was amended in 2006)

AN/NZS 1754:2004 - Child restraint systems for use in motor vehicles

You can get a copy of these standards from Standards Australia (www.standards.org.au).

You may be ok to get a second hand cot, but I wouldn't recommend getting a second-hand car seat. However if you do decide to go this way, I would make sure it isn't too old and that is has never been involved in an accident. You should never use a car restraint that has been invloved in an accident.

Hope this helps!

[subaruforestermum]

I agree, I personally would never buy a second hand Car seat, as the safety standards that are marked on them are there from when they were bought brand new, they dont get retested before they are sold.....And there is usually no visible way to tell if a car seat has been involved in an accident, so you'd have to be extremely wary....but the choice is yours...

As for a second hand cot, we were given ours from a friend, also a port a cot.....so I dont think they are a real problem, as long as they are sturdy, and in good condition, and dont have old paint on them that may contain lead...(if they are really old, some of them still do, even if painted over with non lead base, can still cause problems), some of the older cots also have the bars further apart than the new ones, so its worth looking into properly....but there is nothing wrong with second hand as long as its in good condition.......