This article was supplied by Consumer New Zealand as published in the February 2009 issue of Consumer Magazine. For more information and subscription options, visit consumer.org.nz.

Product safety is the most important consideration when buying kids' products. But checking out high chairs, cots, strollers and child car restraints is tricky, especially when buying second-hand. Use our guide about what to look for.

Small children have little understanding of danger and can be at risk from a range of hazards if left unattended. The most serious risks from children's furniture are:

• Falls – the most common type of accident involving cots or highchairs.
• Strangulation – if clothing is caught or the head is trapped.
• Choking – on small parts or decorations that may come loose.

And that's not to mention getting fingers or limbs trapped in small gaps and cuts from sharp edges.

Always ask for the instructions, or check that they can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website. You need to know how to set up the product and use it safely.

Tip: Many nursery products are covered by Standards, which aim to prevent injury or reduce the risk. Look for a mark that shows the product complies with a British (BS), American (ASTM or CFR) or Australian/New Zealand (AS/NZS) Standard.

Buying on Trade Me

When buying goods from a website you can't inspect them before you buy.

A product may have been bought overseas where complying with a standard is not required. If it is old or damaged, it may no longer meet the requirements of the standard it claims to meet.

Christine Turner of Trade Me says the site has systems to reduce the risk to buyers. People wishing to sell a product which appears on their list of Restricted Items – such as a child's car seat or a cot – must confirm that it complies with the approved Standard.

If you're not satisfied with the product you've bought, you can place feedback or contact Trade Me. If there are safety concerns Trade Me will refer the product to the Commerce Commission or the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

There is also a Community Watch button on each listing. You can use this to report a product you suspect may be unsafe. Trade Me staff will check the product and, if there were any concerns, remove it or refer it to the Commerce Commission or the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

Cots

There's a compulsory Standard for cots: AS/NZS 2172:2003. All cots sold here must comply with it. Under the Standard, the cot must have no gaps or protrusions that could trap a child or catch its clothing and no sharp edges. The sides must be high enough to stop a small child climbing out and there should be no footholds.

Anyone listing a cot for sale on Trade Me must confirm they've read the guide to the Product Safety Standard for cots and that their cot complies. There are heavy fines for selling a non-complying cot.

What to look for

• The New Zealand standard “S” mark or the Australian “tick” mark.
• Check that there are no broken or wobbly bars.
• All bolts and screws should be firmly in place and not protruding.
• The corner posts should not stick up more than 5mm.
• Make sure that the mattress fits the cot snugly and that there are no gaps, which would allow a child to become trapped beneath it.

Children's car seats

All children's car seats (child restraints) for sale must comply with at least one of three Standards: the US Standard FMVSS213; the European Standard ECE44 or the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754. These Standards require impact testing to make sure the restraint will provide a satisfactory level of protection in a crash.

The type of child restraint you need depends on the age and size of the child, from a rear-facing capsule for babies through to car seats or a booster seat for older children.

What to look for

• One of the three Standards marks.
• Don't buy a restraint that's been in a crash – and ask the seller whether it has been.
• Check for a date of manufacture or a “do not use after” date. Don't use a restraint that is more than 10 years old or has passed its expiry date.
• Check for signs of deterioration such as fraying harness straps or cracks in the shell. Faded seat material indicates the restraint has been exposed to sunlight for a long time – this can cause the plastic shell to become brittle.
• A user manual – this will tell you the age and size of child for which the seat is recommended.

Tip: For technical advice about choosing and using a child restraint go to a Safe2go technician. You can find one through Plunket or a retailer, or on the Safe2go website (see “Other stuff”).

Other stuff
Keeping kids safe: www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/productsafety, www.safe2go.co.nz
Child restraints: www.landtransport.govt.nz, search for “Child restraints”.

Internet buying warning
People wishing to sell a child restraint through Trade Me must confirm their product carries a Standard mark and that it's less than 10 years old. But we strongly advise not buying a second-hand child restraint over the Internet. You can't reliably check its age or history and signs of damage or wear may not be visible in a photo.

There are several organisations that hire out child restraints – see www.childrestraints.co.nz.

Highchairs

Compliance with a highchair safety Standard is voluntary. If you're buying online and can't check the chair, ask if it complies with a British (BS), American (ASTM or CFR) or Australian/New Zealand (AS/NZS) Standard.

What to look for

• A wide base to stop the chair tipping.
• A five-point safety harness (shoulder straps as well as waist straps and a crotch strap) to stop the child climbing out.
• No sharp edges, or open tubes or gaps where fingers could get caught.
• The tray can be secured so the child can't remove it.
• There should be no splits in the chair's seat or back – a child could pick out or choke on pieces of foam padding.
• If the chair has wheels, there should be brakes on at least the rear wheels.

Strollers

Compliance with a pram and stroller safety Standard is voluntary. If you're buying online and can't check the stroller, ask if it complies with a Standard – the most common is AS/NZS 2088:2000.

What to look for

• The stroller is sturdy and stable.
• A five-point safety harness (shoulder straps as well as waist straps and a crotch strap) to stop the child climbing out.
• No sharp edges, or open tubes or gaps where fingers could get caught.
• The fabric and linings fit snugly and there are no gaps that could trap a child.
• Brakes that work and are easy to use. They should be out of the reach of the child.
• Two separate locks to stop the stroller collapsing.
• The wheels are secure and not worn out.