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National Baby Equipment Rental Association Seeks to Establish Cleanliness and Safety Standards for ConsumersAug 12, 2009 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- The national baby rental equipment association in North America, Baby Travel Pros, has launched to establish cleanliness and safety standards for independently owned businesses that rent baby equipment, such as cribs, car seats, strollers, playpens and toys, the organization reported. According to a release, the national non-profit association also serves to link referrals and resources across the growing member base that currently includes almost 50 companies in the United States and Canada, which benefits consumers travelling across the country. More than 60 percent of baby gear rental customers are consumers travelling from out of town who rent equipment at their destination, versus hosting families that rent equipment for their incoming grandchildren or guests. As a one-stop resource online, the association noted it enables consumers from all over the globe to locate pre-screened rental companies in their home town or travel destination, without having to worry about safety, quality and cleanliness. Most of the Baby Travel Pros member companies offer online reservations, as well as options for on-site pick up, delivery and set-up services. The group also noted that, as the cost of airline baggage continues to increase, consumers have become less inclined to cart gear across the country, such as car seats, portable cribs, strollers and playpens, and the demand for rentals has increased exponentially. Since loaned or rented baby equipment is not regulated, they are not held accountable to safety and cleanliness standards. Many of them, such as hotels and car rental agencies, do not clean or inspect their equipment regularly, and they do not monitor equipment safety recalls, which are excessively common within the children/infant products industry. Many consumers are not aware that renting equipment is even an option - and borrow or purchase used equipment that is outdated and unsafe. Baby Travel Pros said it requires that members abide by best practices that includes licensing; cleaning and sanitizing gear to meet or exceed their state's daycare and county health department standards between every rental; maintaining, removing or replacing worn or expired items from inventory; monitoring products for recalls and alerts; purchase all equipment new and have the original manufacturers stickers; and adhere to the National Safety Standards, including toys. Baby Travel Pros was founded in 2009 as a national association for independent baby equipment rental companies. Its mission is to establish safety and cleanliness standards across member companies so that consumers have access to a resource to meet their family travel and vacation needs. All of the transportation, safety, comfort and entertainment essentials that a family needs can be waiting for them at the airport, car rental agency, hotel or relative's house when they arrive. Information: www.nationalbabyrentals.org ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) |