Safety issues

This page is about safety of items offered. For personal safety see Keep Safe

If an item is not illegal then it's OK to be offered or requested on Freegle. But there are some items that members should be careful about if they are intending to use them for their original purpose, as opposed to upcycling or repurposing. It is up to each group to decide if they want to disallow certain items through their own safety concerns or to leave it to their members to decide on whether or not they wish to take the possible risks.

Freegle's disclaimer – https://www.ilovefreegle.org/disclaimer – is clear about the responsibility of Freegle and members.

If a post is in pending, you could add a 'mod edit' pointing out the risks of using some items. Some warnings are built into the system, as discussed here in February 2025.

Here is some information about specific items.

Fire labels

Furniture and upholstered items used indoors: see page 4 of government advice about fire safety:

In the Department's view, the simple distribution of second-hand furniture by a charity in pursuance of its charitable objectives to needy persons, either free of charge or at a nominal amount only, would be unlikely to constitute a supply in the course of business. On the other hand, shops selling furniture to raise funds for charitable purposes would constitute a business activity and the Regulations will apply to the furniture sold in this case. Individual charities should take legal advice.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/reusing-upholstered-domestic-seating-containing-pops gives more guidance and it seems that Freegle is OK to facilitate gifting upholstered items that might contain POPs (persistent organic pollutants) as the transaction between members is for 'non-waste products'.

Edward did some research in January 2024. The conclusion was that these are OK:

• individuals freegling without fire labels
• Councils and other agencies freegling through our website without fire labels

But it wouldn't be OK if Freegle, or a person working on behalf of Freegle, was being paid to dispose of things without fire labels. That would then be covered by the business regulations.

FIRA is a credible industry source. The conclusions above takes in their advice to consumers at https://www.fira.co.uk/images/Furniture-Flammability-Advice-for-Consumers.pdf:

Q4. Can I donate furniture to charity without permanent flammability labels? - It’s illegal for charity shops to sell furniture without permanent flammability labels, as such they will not accept donations without correct labelling.

Q5. Can I sell my old sell furniture without permanent flammability labels? - Yes, as an individual you can sell your old furniture privately on eBay etc. without flammability labels.

This covers typical freegling - we are in the same situation as eBay. It's reasonable to assume that if this applies to sale by private individuals it will apply to gifts by private individuals.

FIRA's guide for businesses indicates that the regulations would not apply to a business (or council) which was giving away items. The law aside, there is obviously the potential reputational risk if a council donated an item to someone and it was then involved in a fire.

But these regulations probably apply to Freegle, or a Freegle representative if we were being paid to do it. That would mean it was in the course of business or trade.

Cot mattresses

https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/sleep/cot-safety-features-sleeping-safely-cot:

The Lullaby Trust recommends you buy a new cot mattress, or - if using a second-hand mattress - carefully check that it's clean, dry and free from cracks or tears. Your cot mattress should be firm, with no sagging and fit the cot snugly, with no gaps.

Helmets for motorcycles or bicycles

https://www.motorcycletesttips.uk/learn-to-ride/motorcycle-helmets-visors-law/ and https://helmets.org/cracks.htm for motorcycle helmets, and for bicycles https://www.whycycle.co.uk/cycling-advice/safety-and-security/cycling-helmets/

Car seats and restraints

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/ and https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/child-car-seats/article/what-should-i-do-with-my-old-baby-car-seat-aWIIP7f2jSxf

Some advice for members based on the Which article:

• If you must buy or use a second-hand car seat, make sure it’s a close family member or friend who you can rely on to be truthful about its history.
• Examine the car seat carefully for damage (but remember not all damage is visible), make sure it’s suitable for your child’s weight or height, and try it in your car and any others you intend to use it in, including grandparent’s cars, to ensure it will fit securely.
• Remember, all car seats need to meet the R44.04 or R129 car seat regulations and should be labelled as such. Seats labelled 44.03 are still legal to use but this is an older labelling so means the car seat will have been made with less modern materials.
• If you have any doubts about the provenance of the car seat, don’t buy or use it. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Used car tyres

There are similar safety issues to car seats with the use of second-hand tyres for their original purpose. The sale of second hand tyres is regulated, and they must be tested to ensure they remain safe. However, they can be Freegled for other uses, e.g. as garden planters.

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