Terms And Conditions of Hire

Hire Agreement Form

• A sling hire agreement form must be completed, either online with a lend-engine membership or on paper, for each sling you borrow with your full name, address and contact details, loan charges, hire and return dates. Your personal details will be kept in accordance with GDPR and will only be used to contact you in relation to your loan.

• All slings, carriers, instructions and accessories remain the property of West Norfolk Calm Families at all times.

Loan Cost and Duration

• All carriers are lent subject to availability, condition and suitability.

• Slings can be hired for 2 weeks (£5) or 4 weeks (£9). Stretchy wraps are free for 2 weeks and £5 for 4 weeks.

• A discounted hire fee is available for those who receive certain benefits or are struggling financially. Please talk to us to find out more.

• Slings may be renewed prior to their return date at the above hire rates. Please contact us to arrange this.

• Slings that are not returned on or before their due date will be charged at an additional £1 per day overdue.

• Loan fees are non-refundable.

• Payment is to be made on collection of the carrier by PayPal, cash or bank transfer. You are welcome to exchange your hired carrier for an alternative (if it is available) within your original hire duration for no extra charge. Please come to a group or contact us to arrange this.

Deposit

• A fully refundable deposit is required for each loan. The deposit amount is dependent on the value of the carrier being borrowed and will be returned in full following the timely return of the carrier.

•The replacement of any lost carriers will be paid for using your deposit and the difference will be sent to you via invoice to pay for the remaining cost.

Returning Sling

• Please return your sling on or before the agreed date, with all accessories (lost accessories will need to be replaced at the borrower’s expense).

• Slings can be returned at group. If this is not possible then please contact us to arrange to return to us at a mutually convenient time.

• You will be asked to pay any outstanding fees on return.

Using Your Sling

• Please familiarise yourself with how to use your sling during your time at the group and ensure you are fitted correctly by one of us.                                                                     • Only use the slings in accordance with the instructions (which can be provided via email if needed), and only to carry infants or children of the appropriate sizes.

• Follow the safety guidance that has been provided: Tight; In view at all times; Close enough to kiss, Keep baby’s chin off chest, Supported back.

• Please look after your sling carefully so it can continue to be enjoyed by other families.

• Avoid using the sling in smoky environments or with heavily scented perfumes.

• If the carrier has a chest strap, infant insert or accessories, please be aware that these can detach and be careful not to lose them.

Cleaning

•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.

•Please 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 hire to you, please contact us first for advice.

 •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, etc.).

Drying

• Should your sling get wet, line or air drying is the safest option. Tumble-drying slings can shorten their lives.

Lost or Damaged Carriers

• All slings are loaned out undamaged —there may be general wear and tear.

• If anything happens to the sling whilst it is in your possession, please contact us and do not use the sling any further, for your own safety.

• The full replacement cost of any lost or damaged slings, accessories or instructions will be paid in full by the borrower, to replace the item like for like.

• Customers who do not return their hired carrier despite several reminders (we will always do our best to contact you) will be referred to the small claims court to recoup the full costs of the carrier (replacement in the library and outstanding charges).