Check item safety of bargain buys

Many of us are looking for savings in the form of recycled goods. Whether at yard and garage sales, in secondhand stores or in the far corner of a relative’s attic, bargains await those who seek them.

But those money savers may be false bargains if they are accidents waiting to happen. That may be the case if a product was made to less exacting standards than are the rule today.

Parents of infants and toddlers need to take special precautions. Products made for small children need close scrutiny to be sure they pose no threats to people too young to guard against sources of possible harm.

A safe crib is the best place for a baby to sleep. The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises parents to make sure a crib has:

. A firm, tight-fitting mattress,

. Slats no more than 23/8 inches apart,

. No broken or missing hardware,

. No corner posts over one-sixteenth-inch high,

. No cutout designs in the headboard or foot board.

The crib also should have a safety certification seal if it’s a newer model. The CPSC also warns that babies can suffocate from soft bedding in a crib. All pillows, comforters, quilts, sheepskins and pillow-like toys should be removed. Use only fitted bottom sheets especially made for cribs.

In the case of mesh-sided cribs and playpens, select models with mesh smaller than a quarter inch, that is, smaller than the little buttons on baby clothes. Make sure the mesh is attached securely to the top rail and floor plate. There should be no tears or holes in the mesh or top rail cover. If staples are used, be sure they’re not missing, broken, loose or exposed.

When children are a little older, take a close look at clothing bargains you find. Make sure there are no drawstrings around the head or neck of outerwear. Better for fastening are zippers, snaps and hook-and-loop (Velcro) closures. Drawstrings at the waist should extend no more than three inches.

Other products to avoid include accordion-style safety gates; a child could become trapped or strangle. Also avoid bean bag chairs that can be opened. A youngster could choke on the small pellets of foam filling. CPSC has recalled more than 12 million bean bag chairs.

To check out children’s products or other items CPSC has recalled, visit the agency’s Web page at www.cpsc.gov. The site contains a lot of useful information, including a “Dangerous and Recalled Products Reference Guide” for resale stores (CPSC publication No. 254).

CPSC is charged with protecting us from unreasonable risks of injury or death that might be posed by more than 15,000 kinds of products. You also may sign up for e-mail notification of recalls as they occur. Expect almost daily mailings if you choose to do this. The agency also has a toll-free hotline, 1-800-638-2772.

Next week: summer safety tips.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration, now in its 30th year, of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual and business memberships are available at modest rates. Interested and motivated prospective volunteers are always needed and welcomed to apply to help with our mission. For assistance with consumer-related issues, including consumer fraud and identity theft, or for more information, write: Consumer Forum, P.O. Box 486, Brewer ME 04412, or e-mail contacexdir@live.com.