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Conference moira::parenting_v3

Title:Parenting
Notice:READ 1.27 BEFORE WRITING
Moderator:CSC32::DUBOIS
Created:Wed May 30 1990
Last Modified:Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1364
Total number of notes:23848

1337.0. "Safety of Older Equipment?" by SEIC::MAZZUCOTELLI () Wed Mar 25 1992 16:33

This entry was prompted by a single piece of equipment that my Mother-in-law
brought over, but I think it can be broadened to all older (at least 25+ years) 
baby equipment.
____

My mother-in-law has saved everything from when my husband and his sister were
little and she keeps offering to bring things over.  Up until last week, I was
able to hold her off.  Last week she brought over a bed rail.  My immediate
concern was the distance between the rails (this one has horizontal rails).  
I called the pedi's office and one of the nurses stated that the bars should
be no more than 2 3/4" apart, which they weren't.  Another concern she brought 
up is, is is painted?  Because there is a possibility of lead paint.

My question is, has anyone had any experience with older equipment having lead
paint, or other safety flaws?  The bed rail that she brought over fails the 
safety test so it's out, but if she pulls GKW out of her attic and brings it 
over can I save her the bother and politely tell her, NO THANKS?

What should I look for in older equipment?  Or, if I'm lucky, will most of it
fail the safety test?

BTW, it's not that we can't afford to purchase any of the items, it's just that
my mother-in-law is trying to be helpful.

Thanks!

Jane

P.S.  This week she brought over two child sized folding chairs, the kind that
look like card table chairs, vintage early 60's.  I noticed last night that
there are some welds that are broken which expose sharp metal edges if the
chair flexes the wrong way.  YIKES!  And I was worrying about the paint on the
chairs!  Boy, did we really play with these land mines???
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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1337.1Why not ask to see it first?ICS::NELSONKWed Mar 25 1992 17:1821
    Next time she offers (God forbid there should be a next time!),
    why not ask if you can come over and check things out first?
    Try to put it in the context of "Thought I'd save you the trip...".
    
    I don't have much experience with older baby/child equipment,
    but I do have some experience with in-laws. :-).  I think any
    caring relative would want to know the latest thinking on child
    safety and wouldn't (shouldn't!) be offended if you tactfully
    tell them what the new requirements are.  
    
    Yes, we really did play with those land mines....don't seem to
    be the worse for it.  IMHO, the "problem" with all the new
    safety features is that in some parents, it tends to instill
    a lax attutide toward parental supervision.  REgardless of
    whether or not the outlets are capped, the toilet locked, the
    stairs gated off, etc., THERE IS STILL NO SUBSTITUTE FOR
    PARENTAL SUPERVISION.  I'm not implying that you're shirking
    your responsibilities, just stating my (strongly held) beliefs.
    
    Getting back to the original point, I'd ask to see stuff first.
    
1337.2SHALOT::KOPELICQuality is never an accident . . .Tue Mar 31 1992 18:1913
    I had this problem with my mother-in-law.  The crib and dresser had
    been bought for my husband and she'd saved it all these years.  The
    slats on the crib were 3 1/2 inches apart instead of the new standard
    and I carefully explained to my husband and her that it just wasn't
    safe and I wasn't willing to take any risks just for sentimental
    reasons!  Now my husband is usually Mr. Safety, but he was as upset as
    his mother over this.  I still feel like I did the right thing, even
    after her sitting it out for Goodwill and telling me about it to try
    and make me feel guilty.  
    
    I refuse to risk my child's safety for anyone.
    
    Bev
1337.3CSC32::DUBOISLoveTue Mar 31 1992 19:0110
<    I still feel like I did the right thing, even
<    after her sitting it out for Goodwill and telling me about it to try
<    and make me feel guilty.  
    
I agree with you, Bev.  Good for you.

Does anyone know if Goodwill checks for these safety requirements and fixes
them before selling them to someone else??

       Carol
1337.4I sure as h*** hope so!ICS::NELSONKTue Mar 31 1992 19:361