Parents Warned Against Use Of Second-Hand Juvenile Products

 A strong warning against the use of potentially hazardous second-hand juvenile products such as cribs, playpens, strollers, high chairs, and walkers was issued to the nation's parents today in a joint statement from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA).

The warning came as part of a major safety campaign by the two organizations that will culminate with the observance of Baby Safety Week, September 8-14, 1986.

In stressing the dangers of some used juvenile products, CPSC and JPMA said that many items bought at flea markets and garage sales, handed down by families and friends, or stored for gears in garages and attics were made before safety standards, now in effect, were introduced. In addition to development of new standards, significant improvements in construction methods and safety design have been made in recent years. New products generally are considered safer than those that have been around for a long time, and outdated equipment has been one contributing factor in childhood injuries and deaths over the years.

Many juvenile products on the market today are manufactured to conform to strict government or voluntary safety standards. These standards were drafted to address hazards that have been associated with serious injuries and death to children using these products. Some examples are openings that have caused head entrapment, small parts that have caused choking, decorative knobs that have caused clothing entanglement leading to strangulation, and inadequate restraining systems that have caused falls.

Both CPSC and JPMA offer a free checklist, "TIPS FOR BABY's SAFETY," to help parents and others in examining children's products for hazards that may not be readily apparent. This checklist and other information may be obtained from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs, Washington, D.C. 20207, or by enclosing a self-addressed, stamped envelope with a request to the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, 66 East Main Street, Moorestown, N.J. 08057.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent regulatory agency charged with reducing unreasonable risks of injury associated with consumer products.

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association represents the manufacturers of cribs, high chairs, play yards, car seats, carriages, strollers and related products. Since the mid-1970's the Association has sponsored a voluntary safety certification program to ensure conformance to voluntary standards for several of these products.