What are your goals when shopping for baby items or filling your baby registry? When you’re at the start of your baby gear journey, thinking about what you’ll do with your baby gear later–when you no longer need it–can seem foolish.

A baby gear exit strategy can help you cash in later and free up room in your house by guiding your purchases and baby registry selections. But at the same time, it can, however, put you in danger. Is it your legal responsibility to make sure that any baby things you offer online are safe? If your possessions are dangerous, a child may be injured, and you may be held accountable, which might result in harsh penalties or even jail time.

Here are some of the most dangerous goods that could get a seller into trouble.

1.   Car Seats And Booster Seats

If a car seat or booster seat is broken in any way or has passed its expiry date (or “useful life date”), don’t sell it. Also, if parts, instructions, or labels (manufacturer’s name, model number, and date of production) are missing, never try to sell.

In case there was a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in a collision, the product is again unsafe to be sold. Ask the manufacturer if the seat you’re selling has a National Safety Mark and meets current regulatory criteria.

2.   Cribs, Cradles, And Bassinets

Before you sell that hand-me-down crib, cradle, or bassinet, do your research. Many older versions (for example, any crib manufactured prior to September 1986) are now considered unsafe. Even if they’re relatively new, cribs, cradles, and bassinets with damage, missing parts, or missing information (manufacturer or importer, date of production, model name or number,  and assembly instructions) should be destroyed and discarded.

3.   Baby Gates

Baby gates with “V” or diamond-shaped apertures at the top that are greater than 38 mm are prohibited because they can strangle a youngster. Don’t sell a gate that isn’t properly closed, is broken, or lacks the manufacturer’s name, date of manufacture, model name or number, or installation and usage instructions. A baby can easily pass the faulty gate while the parent is satisfied and busy with the chores.

4.   Strollers And Carriages

Strollers built before 1985 are not recommended anymore. Check that the model you’re selling fulfills current regulatory criteria, even if it’s newer. It must be in good working order. Check for signs of damage; make sure the brakes, locking mechanisms (for folding models), and wheels are in good working order.

Also, make sure it has a three-point harness (lap belt and crotch strap firmly attached to the frame or seat). It will ensure that while the mother is performing house chores like changing the bedsheets, doing laundry, or adding new filter media for aquarium, the baby is all safe and well held. Lastly, do locate the manufacturer’s name, model name or number, and date of manufacture.

5.   Playpens

Only playpens with a fine or small mesh (similar to mosquito netting) are deemed safe. Playpens cannot have more than two wheels or casters, and additional wheels should not be attached. A damaged playpen should not be sold (check for torn mesh or vinyl and protruding hardware).

Check that everything functions well, including folding models’ locking mechanisms, and that the playpen manufacturer’s name, model name or number, and date of production are still visible. Instructions for folding models should also be included with your product.

6.   Toys

Don’t sell broken or otherwise dangerous toys. For example, toys with sharp edges, faulty fasteners, loose parts, peeling paint or lead-based paint, etc. This is because you never know how the child will pay for it, whether there will be continuous supervision or not. It can be very dangerous for young ones.

Some Other Banned Items

Some children’s items have been prohibited due to their perceived danger. If you sell any, you’re breaching the law and may face legal consequences. Some examples are:

• Baby Walkers that have broken or faulty wheels or damaged seat
• Gadgets that hold baby bottles in polycarbonate bottles containing bisphenol A (BPA) so that babies can feed themselves unattended

Recalled Products Are Also Unsafe

Manufacturers occasionally urge customers to return or change a product—furniture, shoes, pharmaceuticals, even children’s bathing suits if it poses a health concern. Recalled items can be found in the federal government’s Recalls & Safety Alerts database. You could be held accountable if you sell or give away a recalled item and a child is injured.

Conclusion

Similar to those safety products that cannot be sold online for major reasons, like gun safes fireproof, or any protective stuff, a few baby gear products are also not safe. The reasons we discussed above are serious enough to take a young one’s life if not tackled the right way.

Now you know why it can put you at risk if you sell a risky baby gear without any research. Babies are very delicate and so are their stuff. Just like you won’t buy any used risky stuff for your newborn, dont sell it too.