Using second-hand toys

Put safety ahead of savings

Use caution when shopping for children at garage sales or second-hand value shops. All too often products sold at garage sales do not meet current safety requirements. Don't buy visibly damaged products, and remember:

• Baby walkers and yo-yo balls (soft plastic toys with highly stretchable plastic cords) are banned in Canada.
  
• Children's jewellery may contain lead or cadmium. If you don't know what's in it, don't buy it.
• If a hockey helmet or face protector meets the safety standards of Canadian Standards Association International, it will have a CSA sticker. If there's no sticker, don't buy it. Check the age of the gear as well: helmets and face protectors usually last about five years. Never buy a helmet or face protector that's been subjected to a major impact regardless of how old it is.

Carefully inspect all products to ensure they are not damaged, cracked, have missing or loose parts, or are missing instructions.

We all have a responsibility

By law, anyone who sells, lends or gives something away -- whether it's new, used or homemade -- is responsible for making sure that item meets current Canadian safety requirements. But as a smart buyer, it's in your interest to stay informed about product recalls, advisories and important regulatory changes.

Stay on top of recalls

Find out if a product has been recalled -- and if there's any corrective action that needs to be taken. Contact the retailer, manufacturer or check Recalls and Safety Alerts. If you have purchased a prohibited product or one that has been the subject of a recall, destroy the item to prevent its future use and dispose of it in accordance with municipal guidelines.