While we were running errands yesterday, Jase and I went and checked out Once Upon a Child. I heard they have really great prices on gently used baby stuff, and that was true. There were lots of strollers to choose from with prices ranging somewhere between $30-$125. Most of the strollers were in the middle of that range. Bouncy seats and swinging thingies galore (whatever they're called.) They had a few cribs and bassinets, but the main thing was clothes. Baby and children's clothes of all kinds!
We were thinking about buying a white crib that we saw. I could paint it if I wanted, and it seemed sturdy enough. It was only $80, too! But, two things stopped me. I wanted to measure it against the U.S. safety standards for cribs, which I did not have with me. And I just wasn't confident in my crib-shopping abilities. I felt like there are things I should know about buying a safe, sturdy crib that I am just clueless about. Then I thought, maybe I'm thinking about it too much. It's just a crib, right?
Well, I'm glad we didn't buy it. I did some research and found the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's safety standards for cribs, which I printed out. I also found that the standards are being updated and will take effect in the summer of 2011. The changes include banning the manufacture and sale of drop-side cribs, as well as mandating better mattress support, sturdier hardware, and better quality wood for crib construction. The purpose is to reduce the chances of the child getting stuck in or falling out of the crib.
Glad I checked.
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