Unsafe recalled baby gear still sold on major resale sites, Consumer Reports finds

A Consumer Reports investigation revealed that banned and recalled baby products continue to be sold on major online resale platforms including Mercari, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay, according to wxyz.com and ksby.com. The investigation focused on four categories of baby products banned or recalled due to serious safety risks: drop-side cribs, inclined sleep products, in-bed sleepers, and padded crib bumpers.

The investigation found that all four categories were available for sale on every platform examined. Consumer Reports gave these platforms their lowest rating for preventing unsafe products from being listed, highlighting that basic safety checks are not being adequately performed before listings go live, reported wxyz.com and ksby.com.

Johnny Mathias, director of corporate strategy and engagement at Consumer Reports, emphasized that the responsibility for preventing unsafe products from reaching families should not fall on parents. He stated that resale platforms are well positioned to intervene but are not doing enough, as detailed by wxyz.com and ksby.com.

Despite the risks, buying used baby gear remains appealing to families trying to manage rising costs of diapers, formula, and other essentials. Consumer Reports recommends parents take precautions before purchasing secondhand baby products, while also urging resale platforms to take greater responsibility in preventing unsafe items from being sold, according to wxyz.com and ksby.com.

The findings serve as a reminder that availability on resale sites does not guarantee safety of baby products. Consumer Reports continues to advocate for improved safety measures on online marketplaces to protect families from potentially hazardous used baby gear, as reported by wxyz.com and ksby.com.