Baby toys from Aliexpress, safe?

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David321

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#289514 10-Sep-2021 09:39

Hi all,

First time parent to a 7 week old here, our wee girl is getting a bit more alert and aware of her surroundings now and I figure a mobile would be a great addition to her limited (so far) toy collection. Problem is she sleeps in a co sleeper and most mobile for sale in nz baby shops have an attachment which clamps between the slates on a cot, plus they are all notoriously expensive for what they are.

I have found one on aliexpress though with a basic clamp which would probably work on our co-sleeper and it has some cool features like a projection light and music etc, this got me thinking though, by importing this from China there is no accountability on weather this thing is safe, or am I just over thinking this, as it looks safe enough anyway.

One thing I have noticed with mobiles for sale in nz is there is not any that I have seen with the screw clamp like the one on aliexpress, and the mobiles for sale in nz shops all seem to have the main support wrapped in material. Which makes me think maybe this is a safety requirement?

Here is the unit I am looking at buying, its a bargin at $27 especially for what is does, but the million dollar question, is it safe? your thoughts?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003211229128.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.76873c00CXeNBm&mp=1

_David_

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neb

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#2776071 10-Sep-2021 15:13

No idea on that particular one, but given that Consumer frequently dings sold-in-NZ baby equipment as being unsafe for various reasons despite having to comply with NZ standards, I'd hate to think what some random item from China that doesn't have to comply with NZ standards is like...

networkn

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#2776095 10-Sep-2021 15:17

Congrats on your new addition.

I wouldn't be prepared to take that risk if it was my kids to be honest, in order to save a few dollars.

Batman

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#2776102 10-Sep-2021 15:27

Make sure you get a toxicology swab on the items :)

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

networkn

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#2776103 10-Sep-2021 15:32

Batman: Make sure you get a toxicology swab on the items :)

You sail pretty close to the wind with some of your comments...

gbwelly

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#2776117 10-Sep-2021 16:02

networkn:

Batman: Make sure you get a toxicology swab on the items :)

You sail pretty close to the wind with some of your comments...

I don't know if Batman was making some sort of covid joke, but assuming they aren't, Chinese manufactured toys are still regularly getting pinged for containing phthalates, cadmium, and even lead paint is still showing up.

networkn

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#2776118 10-Sep-2021 16:04

gbwelly:

I don't know if Batman was making some sort of covid joke, but assuming they aren't, Chinese manufactured toys are still regularly getting pinged for containing phthalates, cadmium, and even lead paint is still showing up.

Well, I wasn't aware of that. I apologise for misreading the situation.

turtleattacks

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#2776128 10-Sep-2021 16:14

networkn:

gbwelly:

I don't know if Batman was making some sort of covid joke, but assuming they aren't, Chinese manufactured toys are still regularly getting pinged for containing phthalates, cadmium, and even lead paint is still showing up.

Well, I wasn't aware of that. I apologise for misreading the situation.

Congrats on your addition!

Even if these toys are 'certified safe', I would not trust whatever certification they are claiming.

Lastly, the difference of this toy between Aliexpress and one from a retailer in NZ is probably say $50?

Don't think you'll miss that $50 in 18 years time :)

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#2776129 10-Sep-2021 16:16

networkn:
Batman: Make sure you get a toxicology swab on the items :)

You sail pretty close to the wind with some of your comments...

https://eeb.org/flood-of-toxic-chinese-toys-threatens-childrens-health/

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

timmmay

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#2776131 10-Sep-2021 16:21

Buy second hand NZ new rather than cheap IMHO. We bought everything new / full price and sold it 1-4 years later for about 20% what we paid, in really good condition.

tehgerbil

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#2776144 10-Sep-2021 17:26

In a nutshell: Self regulation of already lax safety standards with little to no governmental oversight is a recipe for people to substitute expensive safe products with cheaper unsafe products in any country or area.

Where a baby is concerned whereby small amounts of harmful chemicals could have a higher impact than on an adult human would lead one to safely assume the risk is just not worth saving a few extra dollars.

But if this concerns you, perhaps you should also know those 'always on' pyrethrum dispensers that emit a small amount of fly killer are also a rather high risk to developing children.

It's really a case of consumer beware.

afe66

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#2776147 10-Sep-2021 17:42

Young kids toys are aimed at attracting parents rather than kids.

Personally Id buy local where more confident of safety rules. The extra cost is not that big in fuller sense. You can on sell alot of kids stuff.

Toddlers are just as happy banging pots with spoons as banging toy drums.

Noise makers with dry rice in jar work a well a Chinese tat castanets.

Toilet roll centres make trumpets, marble tunnels. Cardboard boxes make houses space ships etc.

dt

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#2776149 10-Sep-2021 17:59

Congrats on the new bubs :)

That same model is selling in NZ at an extortionate price, maybe give them a call and see if you can ask some questions about the safety of the product? it is the blue model though if that's of importance to you :)

https://thebabyshop.co.nz/product/baby-rattles-crib-mobiles-toy-holder-rotating-crib-bed-bell-with-music-box-projection-for-0-12-months-newborn-infant/

neb

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#2776154 10-Sep-2021 18:19

timmmay:
Buy second hand NZ new rather than cheap IMHO. We bought everything new / full price and sold it 1-4 years later for about 20% what we paid, in really good condition.

Good point, you can get near-new baby items for a fraction of the new price at op shops (info from my neighbour who got a pile of stuff for her grandson from that source). Also, get toddler toys and the like from there, you'll only need them for a year or two so better to rent from an op shop than buy new at ten times the price.

neb

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#2776159 10-Sep-2021 18:23

afe66: Noise makers with dry rice in jar work a well a Chinese tat castanets.

Oh, and if it's someone else's kids buy them lots of toys that beep, bong, honk, and squawk constantly. The parents will love you for it!

Bonus points for ones that play a recording of "The wheels on the bus", or anything from Barney.

MileHighKiwi

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#2776284 11-Sep-2021 09:03

When we had our first kid we got stuff like bottles, monitor etc from Amazon and used YouShop to send them over. From memory we paid around $400 for around $700 worth of stuff in NZ. I would not buy anything like that from Ali Express.