If you have used baby gear around your house, or you’re not sure if the baby gear you have is safe, then The “Great Trade-In” Event at Toys”R”Us is just what you need! This event is a new, limited time national program that gives parents an opportunity to trade-in used cribs, car seats, baby bouncers, highchairs, and other baby gear that may not be up to date on meeting current safety standards. As an added perk, parents who trade in an old item will receive savings on a new, safer baby item.

WHY PARTICIPATE?

Kids In Danger (KID) notes that when baby items are recalled because they’re unsafe, fewer than 30% of these recalled baby items are returned by parents. Additionally, just because a product hasn’t been officially recalled, doesn’t mean it’s safe to use. Plenty of parents buy used baby gear, which yes, is a green choice, but it could mean you’re getting a product that’s unsafe. For example, if you buy a used crib or a friend offers you a used crib, that crib may have been upgraded recently to meet newer, more stringent safety standards, and if you haven’t upgraded, that means your baby has the older, not as safe version.

BABY GEAR TO RETURN:

It’s easier than you might think to learn about baby product recalls. You can check the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), website for frequently updated recall information and even get recall information sent right to your email inbox. Signing up at CPSP is one of the very first tasks new parents should complete. You can also visit the Toys “R” Us Safety website for information on product safety or sign up to receive product recall notifications by e-mail.

Toys “R” Us recommends that parents should also bring the following items to the “Great Trade-In” Event.

Older gear such as cribs, highchairs, bouncy seats, playpens, and more — because many older baby products have changed significantly over the past few years to meet new safety standards.
Any car seat that has been involved in an accident. Infant car seats that have been in even a small accident can sustain damage that’s invisible to the naked eye, but may prevent the seat from functioning properly.
Car seats that have expired. Like milk, car seats do expire. If you’re not sure if your car seat has expired, call your car seat manufacturer and ask about the recommended period of use for your particular car seat.
Baby items that are missing parts.
Baby items for which you no longer own the instruction books. Without an instruction booklet you may be in the dark about proper assembly, installation and use, and therefore shouldn’t use the item.

DETAILS:

The “Great Trade-In” event is going on right now at Babies”R”Us and Toys”R”Us locations nationwide. The event ends on Sunday, September 20, 2009. Stores will accept returns on any used cribs, car seats, bassinets, strollers, travel systems, play yards and highchairs in exchange for a 20% savings on the purchase of any new baby item, in any of these product categories, from select manufacturers including Babi Italia, Baby Caché, Baby Trend, Bertini, Britax, Chicco, Contours by Kolcraft, Cosco, Delta, Eddie Bauer, Evenflo, Graco, Jeep, Natures Purest by Summer Infant, Safety 1st, and Sorelle.

Visit your local Toys “R” Us or Babies “R” Us to learn more.