use a 9-year old crib?

melissa816

We have a hand-me-down crib from my brother that we used with DS.  It is going on 8-9 years now.  In light of all the crib recalls in the last couple years, I emailed the company with the model number and asked them for any safety concerns.  Their response was "we do not recommend using any crib after 15 years.  we cannot make any safety recommendations"  or something like that.  So it didn't help much.

From what I can tell searching the recall lists online, it is fine, but now I just don't know.  I wouldn't mind a new crib b/c the room will be pink & dark brown, and the crib is light wood, but it seems silly to get a new crib for 1 child (we're done most likely after this one) if I don't need to.

Sorry for the rambling- but would you use a 9-year-old crib? Thanks

brightning

If it was a dropside crib, I wouldn't use it.

GinandTonic

I used my 15-year-old half-brother's crib (I guess it was 10 years old when I started using it).  In fact, we just took it down this week.  Four kids used it and it's in excellent condition.  It was drop-side, but I never used the drop (although I don't know if the recalls were about using the drop or not). 

I think only you can decide whether you trust it or not.

MichelleWP

All 4 of my kids used the same crib, it was 13 yrs old when done. We did replace the hardware twice, I would recommend that, but it was like new. (It is a drop-side, if a crib is inspected monthly like they should be that really shouldn't be a concern - people don't check the hardware and the drop-side becomes loose - it's easier to recall than teach basic safety).

Ciarrai

If it meets current safety standards, I would use it.  Our crib is hand me down from my cousins.  Their oldest just turned 10 so the crib is at least 10 years old at this point.  It meets all current safety standards and has never been recalled.  So we use it.  We may or may not have another DC so we really didn't want to buy a new one if we didn't need to.

Hooray2005

In light of all the crib recalls, I might hesitate more if it's a drop-side crib, but if it meets safety standards, it seems ok to use b/c it was built within the time frame of the most recent safety guidelines being implemented. 

Things I'd check:

- lead test for paint/finish safety (can get a kit at the hardware store)

- slat width (if a soda can fits through any opening, don't use it)

- making sure there are no decorative pieces that extend up (strangulation/hanging danger)

All that said, if you can't sleep at night b/c you're worried about it being safe or not, I'd spend the extra money and get a new crib - it's not worth the savings if you're constantly questioning if it's safe - your child's life is worth the extra cost