Buttons on baby booties

[Former_Member]

I have recently started knitting lots of baby booties. I have not listed any on Etsy, I am going to see how many I can sell at my first craft show ever this month, and then post up all the ones that I do not sell.

But so! my real question is, they have a small button fastening the strap to keep the bootie on -- should I write some kind of disclaimer? "Warning, small parts"? I would think it was common sense, but what if, god forbid, something was to happen? Any advice would be welcome...

[Former_Member]

I think you should perhaps print up the warning on a business type card and include it with the booties. Mention that you sew them on very tightly, however, that is no guarantee that they will no come off (Thinking of siblings that like to just pull things like that off)
But, yes, I would send some sort of disclaimer so you are covered on your end. Maybe you could make tags and tie them together with the strings.

[Former_Member]

Good idea. I was already going to make labels to tie on to each item that say the name, type of yarn, price, and my etsy shop address, so I will just include the warning on the bottom of the booties. Thanks for the advice. I made about 5 pairs and then freaked myself out because I just thought of this question. Thanks again :)

[Former_Member]

I think it would be a mistake to believe the disclaimer would actually legally protect you.

[knitwit4ever]

Buttons and other functional hardware on infant clothing aren't covered by the "choking hazard" warnings; decorative trim may be. So your buttons shouldn't be a problem, legally, on that basis.

However, those buttons ARE covered under the CPSIA testing rules unless they are made of an exempt material (fabric? uncoated wood? natural shell?). If they are not exempt, then you'll either need to have them tested (for lead, at least) or you'll have to get the GCC from the manufacturer. That's the form stating all the testing specifics and the levels of materials found.

See the CPSIA site and the thread "Everything you wanted to Know about the CPSIA" here for links...

[Former_Member]

I believe your policies and a tag included with your booties, should most definitely include appropriate disclaimers. It shows that you are a mindful store owner who cares about your customers and your work.

"While it is clear that disclaimers provide no guarantee of any shield from liability, the author and publisher of these materials should include a disclaimer so as to be able to at least have some claim to a defense."-IVAN HOFFMAN, B.A., J.D. (http://www.ivanhoffman.com/disclaimers.html)

now for my disclaimer... This advice is not intended to be legal council. Please consult a lawyer. hee hee!

[Former_Member]

You could make knit buttons completely out of yarn (do they make those? I know they do for crochet). Basically it's a very small ball that slides through the button hole. You still have to stitch it on, but you get out of having to test it since it's made of yarn.

[JadeCreations]

I would avoid buttons on baby booties. Babies love to pull on their booties and suck on them or their feet. I think it is a dangerous thing to do and as a mom I would not buy them if I saw they had a button on them

[Former_Member]

oh please don't sell baby booties with buttons. We had a friend who lost their 8 month old baby to a choking accident. Babies put everything in their mouths and most shoes/booties are easy to slip off. I like the idea of knit buttons.

[JadeCreations]

Athena that is heartbreaking!

[Former_Member]

Yes, it was heartbreaking!

[Former_Member]

I don't make booties, but I do make bibs for babies, and I have changed my design not to include buttons. I found that buttons to come off too easily and testing the repurposed buttons I had been using would have been very cost prohibitive. I am switching to almost all exempt materials. Hook and loop tape is exempt, and I think elastic is. Snaps would have to be tested but they are a good option in terms of strength and likelihood of coming off. Between the choking potential and the testing concerns, I haven't found buttons to be worth the trouble.