Garage Sale - Safety Issues Key - 2004-04-30 at 07:26
Think about your liability before holding a garage sale Safety issues key
(NC)-Before dragging out all your old stuff again this year, you should be aware that anyone holding a garage sale in Canada is legally responsible for ensuring that the products they sell, whether new or used, are safe and meet specific safety standards.
To protect yourself, the first thing to do is to make sure that everything you plan to sell is in good working condition and has not been involved in a recall. Damaged items should be thrown in the garbage. Canada's Hazardous Products Act lists products, many of them child-related, that you can't import, sell or even give away if they don't meet specific safety requirements. This list includes:
baby gates
baby wakers
children's car seats
children's sleepwear
cribs and cradles
protective sports equipment
playpens
strollers
toys
lawn darts
Other children's items that can pose a safety hazard include:
bunkbeds
drawstrings on children's clothing
children's jewelry that contains lead
For more tips and advice on how to hold a safe, worry-free garage sale visit Health Canada's Web site at http:// www.healthcanada.ca/garagesales.
