Friday, April 17, 2009

Important Points to Consider When Purchasing Baby Furniture Cribs Used

By Gregory Tersigni

If your baby is less than a year old then it is very necessary that you take note of the guidelines that follow in order to safeguard the baby. But even if the baby is older than a year, it is still important to consider these guidelines.

The first part of a crib that you should thoroughly inspect is the mattress. It is very important that it fits the crib snugly and does not create any gaps.

A gap between the mattress and crib side is a dangerous place where your baby could get stuck. If the used crib you are buying does not come with a mattress then do not buy it until you know for sure that you can find a mattress that will fit in it properly.

If your used crib comes with a mattress always check that it is the right size before finalizing your purchase. Furthermore, you should make sure that the bottom sheet you are using is tight fitting and designed for crib use.

Once you have checked the mattress properly it is time to turn your attention to the crib itself. Make sure that there are no missing screws and that it is well made and sturdy. The corner posts must not be longer than 1/16th of an inch, otherwise there is a risk of the baby's clothes getting caught on them.

Next, take a very close look at each of the slats. Make sure that none are loose or missing. Obviously, none should be broken. The gaps between the slats should be no wider than a soda can in order to prevent any chance of the baby getting stuck in the gaps.

Some other things to consider are if the crib has cutouts or has any mesh siding. Headboard and footboard cutouts, despite being decorative, are a place where your baby's head can get stuck. An example of this might be a heart shape or other design.

The crib you are considering might have attached mesh. In order to ensure that your baby's clothes do not get stuck, the holes in the mesh should not exceed a quarter of an inch. Also, it is important that there are no tears and that it is securely attached to the crib with no pieces jutting out.

Although you may not know it, these points actually meet government requirements. Provided the crib is not too old, you will probably find that the one you are considering will meet these criteria. Once you know what to look for and what to avoid you can purchase a used crib and enjoy peace of mind.

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