Terms and Conditions for Sling Loans
Prices
There is a flat rate fee of £10.00 for the loan of one sling for one month. No fee will be asked from those receiving Healthy Start vouchers. Cash or Paypal can be used to pay the fee.
A refundable deposit to cover the replacement cost of the chosen carrier will be required for all sling loans. This will be held by the Library for the duration of the hire and returned to the customer upon safe return of the carrier. Cash, Paypal or cheque can be used to pay the deposit.
Full Terms & Conditions
We want all parents to get the chance to use and enjoy our carriers safely so for all loans we ask that you read and agree to our Terms and Conditions. When you borrow a carrier we’ll also give you a printed copy to take away with you. Our web page will always contains the most current and complete version. If you need any further explanation or help, please just ask by telephone (07951 600777), email (Karen@psbreastfeeding.co.uk) or contact us through the website or Facebook page.
1. Loan Form
a) A Sling Loan Form must be completed each time you borrow a carrier with your full name, address and contact details, loan charges, deposit values, return location and date. A printed copy of these Terms and Conditions, including details of your hire will also be completed for you to keep.
b) Your personal details will be kept in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and General Data Protection Regulation 2018, and will only be used to contact you in relation to your library loan and any questions you may have asked during that time.
2. Loan Cost and Duration
a) The standard loan period is one month. At our discretion you may arrange to borrow a carrier for a shorter or longer period, at a cost to be agreed between yourself and the Library.
b) Each sling loan costs £10 for a hire period of up to one month.
c) The loan fee will be waived if you receive Healthy Start vouchers.
3. Deposit
a) A fully refundable deposit is required for each loan. The deposit amount is dependent on the value of the carrier or accessory being borrowed and will be returned in full following the timely return of the carrier or accessory undamaged with all instructions and any additional accessories (currently deposit costs are £10 for a stretchy wrap or hybrid stretchy carrier and £20 for all other slings and carriers).
b) The replacement of any lost carriers, accessories or instructions will be your responsibility and may be more than the deposit paid. Charges for items damaged beyond normal wear and tear will be judged on a case by case basis.
4. Payment Methods
a) Loan fees are payable by cash or Paypal..
b) Deposits may be given as cash, Paypal or cheque, and are refunded by the method given.
5. Late Returns
a) if you return your carrier late we will charge £1 per day late fees for every day past the agreed return date. These fees will be deducted from your deposit.
b) Under adverse or unforeseen circumstances we may reduce or waive fines for late returns as long as the late period is less than 7 days and has been fully agreed by us before the end of the loan period.
c) If we do not hear from you within 35 days from the start of your loan, we will consider the carrier loan extended and send an invoice via Paypal. If we receive no contact within an additional 7 days we will consider the carrier lost and start proceedings to reclaim the value for replacing the carrier.
d) If you are unable to return your carrier by the agreed date due to Library staff illness or holidays, we will extend your loan period for free and agree a new return date with you.
6. Returning and Posting Carriers
a) Returns can be made during Library open hours (listed on the website) or at an agreed time at one of our Breastfeeding Groups or your local Children’s Centre. If this is not possible the carrier may be returned by post at the Library’s discretion.
b) The carrier is returned by post at your own cost and risk. You should use Recorded or Special Delivery and retain proof of postage. Please ensure you allow sufficient time for the carrier to arrive by its return due date.
c) Please ensure that the carrier, instructions and any accessories are packaged appropriately – we prefer that you ‘double-bag’ the carrier and write both addresses on both layers. Please remember that your deposit is at risk until the undamaged carrier reaches us.
7. Condition of the Carrier
a) All carriers are checked before lending to ensure that they are in good condition and working order. The borrower may check the condition of the carrier prior to the start of the loan.
b) It is the borrowers responsibility to check over the carrier before every use. Check all buckles, hems and seams ensuring that there are no tears, breaks, cracks or holes. If any damage is discovered, please stop using the carrier immediately and contact us for instruction.
8. Safe Use of Carriers
a) All carriers are provided with instructions for safe use. If, for any reason they are not supplied, it is the borrower’s responsibility to ask for a copy of the instructions. On occasion, we may only be able to provide you with an online link to manufacturer’s instructions; in this case, we may also be able to give you printed instructions for a similar carrier. For convenience, links to web page or pdf copies of instructions for all of our carriers may be found on the website.
b) The borrower must read all safety, use and care instructions provided prior to using the carrier. Carriers must only be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
c) All carriers are extremely safe when used properly, however misuse can cause injury to yourself or child. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are using the carrier correctly and that your baby is safe at all times. The Kent Sling Library cannot be held responsible for any accident that results in injury or death whilst the carrier is in your care.
d) We suggest that after familiarising yourself with the instructions given, you then practice using the carrier with a doll/teddy or cushion/pillow so that you get used to the tying/fastening/adjusting methods over a sofa or bed until you are fully comfortable.
e) Always ensure that you seat your child correctly in the carrier and check any knots regularly as children do not stay still and straps and wrap passes can move or become loosened.
f) If you feel any pain while carrying your child, change the carrying position or remove the carrier.
g) If you are unsure about anything you read in the instructions, are not sure what you’re doing or are at all concerned, please ask us. We can point you in the direction of lots of helpful sites to give you tips to make sure you’re getting the best out of the carrier and using it safely.
9. Care of Carriers
a) Under no circumstances is it permitted to smoke whilst wearing or holding the carrier. Please inform us if you are a smoker, or if there is a smoker in your home as we will need to carefully launder the carrier after it is returned. Smoking is known to increase the risk of cot death for babies, and these risks have also been linked to babies being in close contact with clothing or objects contaminated with smoke particles.
b) We cannot guarantee that there are no marks or hairs on the carriers we lend. Carriers are spot-cleaned and only laundered if necessary as freshly washed carriers will not be as soft or flexible as those that are not. If you would prefer to use a freshly laundered carrier please request this before you borrow.
c) Please therefore avoid washing the carrier, though do spot clean any marks when they occur using washing up liquid and water. If you feel it is necessary that the carrier is cleaned while on loan to you, please follow the instructions provided or contact for advice.
d) We cannot guarantee that there are no animal hairs on our carriers, but we ask that all carriers are kept away from pets to minimise this possibility. If you are very allergic to animal hairs, please request that the carrier be laundered before you borrow it to help reduce any potential reaction.
e) Food and posset marks are expected when carrying children, but please keep the sling away from anything that may stain more permanently (oil, paint, pens, etc.), or anything that might damage it (scissors, velcro, keys in your bag, fire, moving parts such as buggy wheels etc.). The cost of damage beyond normal wear and tear may be removed from your deposit.
10. All slings, carriers, instructions and accessories remain the property of the Kent Sling Library at all times, and all loans are subject to availability and our discretion.
With many thanks to Mae’r at North West Kent Sling Library and to Emily at the South London Sling Library for compiling these terms and conditions.
