Weeding out dangerous second-hand trouble

As garage sales — a perennial favourite of bargain hunters start springing up — sellers are being warned to weed out hazardous goods.

Those who hold garage sales are legally responsible for ensuring that products — new or used — meet current safety standards, said Stephane Shank, spokesman with Health Canada.

The riskiest items found at garage sales are those intended for children and infants.

Toys that are broken, have sharp edges or points, or plush toys with loose eyes or noses are not safe and should not be sold. Magnets used in toys, figurines, science kits and board games are also risky.

“If a child swallows more than one magnet over a short period of time, the magnets can attract one another while travelling through the intestines,” Shank said. “This can result in the intestines twisting and creating a blockage or a tear.”

Playpens with protruding bolts or torn vinyl or mesh should never be sold. Vendors should ensure all locking mechanisms work and setup instructions are included with the playpen.

Information that identifies the manufacturer, model number and the date of manufacture must accompany a playpen. That information should also be included with strollers.

Health Canada warns that strollers and carriages made before 1985 might not meet current safety standards and should not be sold.

Strollers must come with a lap belt, or safety harness that is solidly attached to the seat or frame. Consumers should check to ensure that the brakes, as well as locking mechanisms on folding models, work.

Sellers are advised to check with the manufacturer or Health Canada to see if an item has been recalled and the product has been corrected.

Health Canada’s website includes recall information on many products including car seats, toys and cribs. To check for recalls, go to www. healthcanada.gc.ca/cps-recalls.

Car seats must meet the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Before selling a used car seat, check with Transport Canada by calling 1-800-333-0371 or online at www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety.

Other items pose different risks for adults.

“It’s buyer beware when you go to garage sales,”said Patrick Heffernan, executive director of the Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan.

While it’s unlikely, he said there is the possibility consumers might come across counterfeit goods.

“There’s always a risk of you buying stolen property, but it’s pretty tough for an amateur to identify,” Heffernan said in a recent interview.

When arriving at a garage sale, he suggests looking around to see if the quality of items being sold are likely to have come from that household.

There are no guarantees when buying electronics or mechanical items from garage sale vendors.

“If you’re selling equipment at a garage sale, you’d better be able to start it for the buyer and if it won’t start, then you’re buying it in a nonstart condition assuming that you have the skills to fix it, or maybe you’re going to use it for parts,” Heffernan said.