Item Safety & Community Safety

Baby items carry different risks than other secondhand goods. Here’s what every Kidza neighbor should know before listing or accepting an item.

CPSC Recalls

Check for recalls before listing or accepting

🔍

Always check the CPSC recall database

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) maintains a free database of recalled products — including baby gear, toys, furniture, and clothing. Before listing an item or accepting one from a neighbor, search for it at cpsc.gov/recalls.

Do not list or accept items with open recalls. Return them to the manufacturer for a free remedy instead.

🚫

Items you should never list on Kidza

✓Any item subject to an open CPSC recall
✓Drop-side cribs (banned in the U.S. since 2011)
✓Car seats that are expired (check the label — most expire 6–10 years from manufacture)
✓Car seats that have been in any accident, even a minor fender-bender
✓Infant sleep positioners, inclined sleepers, or any device not approved for unmonitored infant sleep
✓Helmets that have sustained any impact

Choking Hazards

Small parts & age-appropriate toys

⚠️

The small-parts tube test

Any toy or item with parts that fit entirely inside a small-parts cylinder (roughly the size of a toilet paper roll) is a choking hazard for children under 3. When listing toys, be honest about whether they have small parts, and set the correct age range in the listing.

If in doubt, add a warning in the description.

🧸

Age-label matters — really

Toy age labels aren’t just about developmental readiness — they’re safety ratings. A toy marked “3+” may have components that are dangerous for younger children.

✓Always include the correct age range when listing toys
✓Check for and disclose missing, broken, or detached pieces that could become hazards
✓Battery compartment covers should be screw-secured, not just snapped on
✓Avoid listing stuffed animals with button eyes that could detach for infants under 1

Sleep Safety

Safe sleep — no compromises

🛏️

Safe crib and bassinet standards

The CPSC sets strict standards for infant sleep products. Before listing or accepting a crib or bassinet:

✓Slats must be no more than 2⅜ inches apart
✓No missing, loose, or cracked hardware or wood
✓Drop-side cribs are banned — do not list or accept them
✓Mattress must fit snugly with no gaps (finger test: no more than two fingers between mattress and side)
✓Never use pillows, bumpers, or loose bedding in an infant sleep space

😴

What Kidza cannot verify about sleep products

We genuinely cannot confirm:

✓Whether a crib or bassinet meets current CPSC standards
✓Whether it has been recalled or repaired with non-original parts
✓The structural integrity of any item you accept

Inspect every sleep item thoroughly before use. When in doubt, buy new.

Car Seat Safety

Car seats have expiration dates

🚗

Never accept a car seat you can't fully verify

✓Check the label for the expiration date — most seats expire 6–10 years from manufacture
✓A car seat involved in any accident (even minor) must be replaced — internal damage is invisible
✓The owner must provide the manual and all original parts
✓Check the CPSC recall database for the specific model before accepting

Kidza cannot verify accident history. When in doubt, decline.

Community Safety

Pickup tips for smart neighbors

🌞

Meet in public or on your porch

For a first pickup with someone you’ve never met, keep it simple and visible. A porch handoff or a public spot like a park entrance works great. You never have to go inside someone’s home — and you should never feel pressured to.

👥

Bring a friend or give someone a heads up

It never hurts to tell someone where you’re going for a first pickup. A quick “Hey, I’m grabbing a baby swing from a neighbor, back in 20” is all it takes. Most pickups are totally uneventful — but it’s a good habit.

🚫

No pressure, ever

You can cancel a trade at any time with no explanation needed. If something feels off before or during a pickup, trust that feeling. Your safety always comes first.

If someone makes you uncomfortable, use the Report button on their listing or profile.

🚨

Report a problem

If a listing, profile, or message concerns you, use the Report button on any listing or profile page. Reports go directly to our admin team and we take every one seriously.

For urgent safety issues, email us: hello@kidza.net

🧸

The Kidza community is built on trust and care for each other’s kids. These tips are just a little extra common sense to help every exchange go smoothly and safely.

Questions? We’re real people. hello@kidza.net

🌱

Loading…